Napoli 2-1 Juventus: Player ratings as Bianconeri’s woes continue with defeat

Midfielders

Federico Bernardeschi (RM) – 5/10 – Juventus’ possession structure meant that Bernardeschi had the important function of holding the width down the right-hand side in the opening. He did so effectively, ensuring the visitors stretched Napoli’s defence horizontally. The Italy international was the beneficiary of several swashbuckling Manuel Locatelli switches, and he looked sprightly in one-v-one situations. It’s a shame he was so poor after the break, though.

Manuel Locatelli (CM) – 7/10 – Locatelli’s first-half display was immense. Laden in industry and sheer technical brilliance, Juventini were waxing lyrical over their new addition… and rightly so! However, like the rest of the Bianconeri, his level dropped after the restart as Napoli penned the visitors back into their own third.

Weston McKennie (CM) – 5/10 – The American was a surprise inclusion into the XI following his antics while away with the national team that earned him a suspension. However, Juve’s dire availability this week meant he was forced into Allegri’s team. Unfortunately, despite being given the licence to advance between the lines from the pivot, McKennie didn’t have a huge impact before his 73rd-minute withdrawal.

Adrien Rabiot (LM) – 5/10 – The Frenchman started the contest brightly in a similar hybrid function that he performs for the national team. Rabiot found Kulusevski with a couple of delightful line-breaking passes in the opening period, all while protecting his half-space smartly out of possession. However, he rather sauntered through the second period as Juve surrendered their goal advantage.