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Napoli Hands Spalletti First Juventus Defeat as Højlund Brace Sinks Visitors

Juventus fell to seventh after a season‑worst attacking display, prompting doubts over the false‑nine gamble.

Overview

  • Rasmus Højlund scored both goals in Napoli’s 2-1 win at the Maradona after Kenan Yildiz’s equalizer, with the winner created by a misheaded Weston McKennie clearance.
  • Luciano Spalletti called his side “passengers,” pointing to timid ball circulation, cheap turnovers and pressure they failed to handle.
  • With Dusan Vlahovic out following surgery, Spalletti started Yildiz as a false nine and brought on Jonathan David at half-time as the attack struggled to threaten.
  • Juventus recorded season lows in chance creation with 0.24 xG, eight touches in the box and five shots, underscoring a predictable approach.
  • The loss was Spalletti’s first since replacing Igor Tudor and left the team seventh, as he highlighted back‑post defending issues and Manuel Locatelli urged improvement.