Rasmus Hojlund delivered a sensational match-winning brace as Napoli defeated Juventus 2-1 at the Stadio Maradona, handing Luciano Spalletti his first loss as Bianconeri boss and spoiling his highly anticipated return to the city where he won the 2023 Scudetto with Napoli.
The clash carried extra significance as it marked Spalletti’s first managerial visit to Naples since his Scudetto triumph and his first head-to-head confrontation with former Juventus manager Antonio Conte. Fans and pundits alike had been eagerly anticipating this Serie A showdown, which delivered drama, tension, and high-quality football throughout the 90 minutes.
Injury woes hit both sides
Both clubs were dealing with extensive injury lists going into the match. Juventus were missing Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Gatti following recent surgeries, alongside Gleison Bremer, Daniele Rugani, and Arek Milik. As a result, Kenan Yildiz led the attack with Weston McKennie operating in a more advanced role to help cover the absences.
Napoli were similarly affected, with Stanislav Lobotka, Billy Gilmour, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Miguel Gutierrez, Kevin De Bruyne, Alex Meret, and Romelu Lukaku unavailable. This forced manager Luciano Spalletti to deploy Eljif Elmas in a deeper midfield role, reshaping his tactical setup to maintain balance despite the missing personnel.
Hojlund strikes early to set the tone
Napoli started the match with high intensity. Early on, Scott McTominay’s header for Juventus went wide, allowing David Neres to exploit space on the right flank, beat Juan Cabal and Teun Koopmeiners, and deliver a precise cut-back for Rasmus Hojlund, who finished clinically from close range. This goal marked Hojlund’s first in two months and immediately shifted momentum in Napoli’s favour.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo came close to doubling the lead with a looping header that forced an acrobatic save from Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, highlighting Napoli’s early dominance and their intent to capitalize on Juventus’ injury-stricken lineup.
Juventus struggle to create clear chances
Juventus found it difficult to generate meaningful attacking opportunities in the opening period. Kenan Yildiz twice broke down the left flank to create openings, while McTominay posed a set-piece threat, with a header grazing the post just before halftime. Juventus’ expected goals (xG) for the first half were only 0.04, reflecting their struggle to convert possession into clear scoring opportunities.
After the break, Spalletti introduced Jonathan David to spark the attack, but Napoli remained dominant and continued to press for a second goal, forcing Di Gregorio into multiple saves, including a crucial stop from Hojlund.
Yildiz equalises against the run of play
Despite Napoli’s control, Juventus managed to strike against the run of play. Yildiz led a counter-attack, exchanging a neat one-two with McKennie before curling a precise shot across Vanja Milinkovic-Savic to score Juventus’ first shot on target and the equaliser. The goal came as a surprise, given Napoli’s sustained pressure throughout the match.
Hojlund restores Napoli’s lead
Napoli responded immediately after conceding. A cross from David Neres caused chaos at the back post, with McKennie inadvertently deflecting the ball into Hojlund’s path. The striker reacted instinctively, heading the ball home from close range to regain the lead for Napoli and ultimately secure the win.
Juventus pressed for a late equaliser, but Edon Zhegrova’s stoppage-time effort was straight at Milinkovic-Savic, confirming a hard-fought victory for Napoli. The result ended Spalletti’s run of four wins and three draws and solidified Napoli’s early title credentials, while highlighting Hojlund’s growing importance in the squad.
Implications of the result
The match not only delivered a dramatic spectacle but also reaffirmed Napoli’s resilience and ability to capitalize on their key players. Hojlund’s clinical finishing, combined with Neres’ creativity, proved decisive. Juventus, despite their efforts, were unable to break through Napoli’s organized defence and clinical counter-attacks.
With this win, Napoli strengthens its position in the Serie A standings, sends a strong statement to their rivals, and sets the tone for the remainder of the season. Spalletti, meanwhile, will need to reassess his squad and tactics as Juventus aim to recover from their first defeat under his management this campaign.