Napoli beat Juventus 2-1: Hojlund shines, Conte takes the lead.

Napoli defeated Juventus 2-1 at the Maradona Stadium thanks to a brace from Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish striker opened the scoring after just 10 minutes and sealed the victory with a header, while Juventus only managed a consolation goal from Yildiz. The result puts Antonio Conte's team temporarily at the top of Serie A, while Luciano Spalletti faces further challenges regarding Juventus' effectiveness.

The crucial moment

Napoli started proactively and were soon rewarded: after just 10 minutes, Hojlund positioned himself well to open the scoring. The goal forced Juventus to push forward, and Yildiz brought the game back to a tie with a neat goal.

The balance didn't last. Hojlund continued to make the difference, appearing in the right place at the right time and heading in the equalizer to seal a 2-1 victory. With Juventus desperately trying to find an equalizer but lacking sharpness in their finishing, the striker's brace became the biggest highlight of the match.

Development and pace

Napoli controlled the game from the start, maintaining high pressure on Juventus' half. Their attacking moves were quick and direct, prioritizing quality in each pass over flashy displays.

Juventus had scattered chances but lacked decisive finishing touches. When accuracy in the final pass or shot was needed, Spalletti's team often faltered. Yildiz's brilliance prevented Juventus from becoming completely deadlocked, but it wasn't enough against a pragmatic and efficient Napoli side.

Tactical perspective: Conte is pragmatic, Spalletti still has unfinished business.

Under Antonio Conte, Napoli prioritizes solidity and efficiency. The match against Juventus reaffirmed this: controlling key moments, focusing on quality shots, and preserving the advantage when needed. It's not always the flashy football of the past, but it's the optimal formula for big matches.

For Juventus, Luciano Spalletti faces an old problem: creating chances but failing to convert them consistently. The lack of a sufficiently sharp attacking structure in the final third often puts the team at a disadvantage when opponents accelerate in crucial moments. Against Napoli, this limitation was clearly evident as Juventus failed to capitalize on promising chances to turn the tide of the game.

Hojlund and his decisive brace

Hojlund stood out thanks to his positioning and reflexes in the penalty area. The opening goal came from his instinct to seize the opportunity, while the winning header demonstrated his spatial awareness in the box. Compared to his previous time at Man Utd, the Danish striker showed a different side: more confident, decisive, and effective.

Juventus: Lack of sharpness in the decisive moment.

Even when presented with opportunities, Juventus lacked the finishing touch. Their final touches often lacked power or precision, rendering their attempts to equalize in the final moments unsuccessful. This is a bottleneck that Spalletti needs to address if he wants to get Juventus back on a winning track against strong opponents.

Impact on the race

Three points at Maradona were more than just valuable for the league table. Napoli temporarily moved to the top of Serie A and boosted their confidence for the 2025 season. The pragmatic victory showed that Conte's team knows how to manage risk and decide big matches.

Conversely, Juventus continues to face pressure. Each match against a strong opponent exposes gaps in Spalletti's system. To get back into the title race and their Champions League qualification goal, they need a more effective attacking formula, especially in finishing.

Selective statistics

• Score: Napoli 2-1 Juventus
• Goals: Hojlund (2) – Yildiz (1)
• Location: Maradona Stadium
• The opening goal came after just 10 minutes.
• Napoli temporarily moved to the top of Serie A.