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Napoli 2-1 Juventus: 3 takeaways from the Bianconeri’s defeat in Naples

By Jyotirmoy Halder

NAPLES, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 11: Kaludou Koulibaly of Napoli scores his team's second goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Juventus at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 11, 2021 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
NAPLES, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 11: Kaludou Koulibaly of Napoli scores his team's second goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Juventus at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 11, 2021 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images) /
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1. Juventus missed the defence-wrenching runs of Cuadrado

Mattia De Sciglio, Juventus (Photo by Vincenzo Izzo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Mattia De Sciglio, Juventus (Photo by Vincenzo Izzo/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

It was partly because CONMEBOL decided to have an extended international window that Juventus missed so many crucial outfield players, including Juan Cuadrado. Cuadrado is hailed as one of the most fundamental players for the Bianconeri. Not only does he help the team with his defensive attributes, but also he does take on defenders with his natural ability to bomb forward.

Last season, the 33-year-old Colombian had 19 assists to his name (as per Transfermarkt). Surely it would’ve been difficult for Allegri to prepare a team without him, especially when they were up against a commendable competitor like Napoli. Mattia De Sciglio got the nod but drastically failed to emulate what Cuadrado does week in, week out.

A graph presented by Whoscored.com shows that 38% of Juve’s attacks against Napoli came down the right flank. It was Luca Pellegrini providing the width for the Old Lady in the first half, with 44% of their attacks coming down his side. But as soon as he got substituted and Matthijs de Ligt came onto the pitch, De Sciglio had to switch flank. From the left, he was more of a passenger than a driver.

Even while playing on the right side, he, if we take a look at his average position (via Whoscored.com), was so deep that the notion of him being a full-back never felt a reality.

De Sciglio is not a shambles and absolutely not the main reason why they lost the game, of course. Though, he is only effective when someone else is there to do the offensive work required of a modern-day full-back. With Cuadrado, it could’ve been a better night and result for the Piedmontese side.

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