Carlo Ancelotti failed his first big test as Napoli manager, as his side took the lead away at Juventus only to lose 3-1 to the reigning Serie A champions.
Dries Mertens opened the scoring, but two goals from Mario Mandzukic and one from Leonardo Bonucci saw Napoli fall six points behind Juve in the Serie A table.
Take a look at how the players fared.
STARTING XI
David Ospina 6 – Should have done better for Juve’s go-ahead goal, when he was only able to turn Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot onto the post rather than around it, allowing Mandzukic an easy tap-in. Solid otherwise.
Elseid Hysaj 5 – The 24-year-old wasn’t the first full-back to endure a horrid afternoon at the hands of Ronaldo, and he won’t be the last. Hysaj was completely overwhelmed, beaten on multiple occasions by the Juventus star.
Raul Albiol 7 – Albiol stood up to the threat of his former teammate Ronaldo well, looking assured with his tackling and reading of the game. Will be disappointed to finish on the losing side.
Kalidou Koulibaly 6 – At times looked completely in control, denying Dybala and Mandzukic any space, but at others he left his defence exposed, as he was caught out of position once or twice.
Mario Rui 4 – Good going forward, but far too combustible in defence. He was partially at fault for Juve’s first goal – though he’ll rightly wonder why he was left alone against Mandzukic – but his two yellow cards were utterly avoidable.
Jose Callejon 7 – Delivered an excellent first-time assist for strike partner Dries Mertens to score, and nearly scored an equaliser in the second half when he was denied 1-on-1 by a superb save from Szczesny. A threat throughout.
Allan 7 – The Brazilian was Napoli’s best midfielder. It was his pass that set up their goal, a sublime through ball for Callejon, and he was busy throughout, driving Napoli forward and harrying Juve’s midfielders in possession.
Marek Hamsik 4 – A poor showing from the Napoli star, who is looking like a shadow of the player who was starring for this side as recently as last season. Had almost no impact on this, a crunch game for his team.
Piotr Zielinski 6 – Nearly opened the scoring with a well-struck long-range shot early on, which hit the post, but his influence waned after that.
Lorenzo Insigne 4 – About as disappointing as Hamsik, as the man tasked to be Napoli’s biggest attacking spark was anything but on Saturday in a strangely quiet game.
Dries Mertens 6 – Rounded off a good Napoli move to get on the scoresheet, but had limited impact otherwise. Ultimately, the man he beat to score, Juve keeper Szczesny, ended up with more touches than the striker.
Mertens scored but did little else.
SUBSTITUTES
Kevin Malcuit 6 – Came on as Napoli were chasing the game with ten men, and added a little spark to their attack with his running, though he was wasteful in possession.
Arkadiusz Milik 6 – Served as a good focal point for the attack after coming on, though he struggled to have a direct impact on the game.
Fabian Ruiz 6 – Was brought on for Hamsik and immediately offered more of a threat, with more incisive passing and running.
