Juventus were totally outplayed in the opening half during Sunday's Serie A showdown in Naples. Despite a dramatic improvement after the turnaround, Luciano Spalletti tasted his first defeat as head coach.
Former Napoli manager Spalletti admitted that his side lost the ball too many times in the first half. His side were dominated by Antonio Conte's well-drilled team, and lacked the superiority that Spalletti demands of his midfielders.
Bringing on Jonathan David, who is a goal poacher rather than a physical center forward, for the second half made the visitors more fluid.
There is no doubt that the dubious 3-4-1-2 formation, with Weston McKennie sitting behind the bizarre choice of wingers Francisco Conceicao and Kenan Yildiz as makeshift strikers, failed miserably. For Spalletti's tactics to be so exposed, particularly inside the stadium he knew so well, was a bitter pill to swallow for the 66-year-old.
The gamble from tinkerman Spalletti didn't work in Naples, and with an injury-hit squad it is time to go back to basics. Conceicao and Yildiz like to receive the ball to their feet and in deep pockets, which allows them to use their creativity and pace. When both players tried this at Napoli, it generated space for a no9. But Canada international David is certainly not an out-and-out attacker.
With no other team able to beat Naples inside the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for over a year, Juve's defeat was expected. Nevertheless, the reversal adds pressure for their next Champions League contest.
A tweak from Spalletti is required
Spalletti must surely alter this tactics for the visit of Pafos to Turin's Allianz Stadium on Wednesday, for what is a must-win Champions League clash for both teams.
With David and Lois Openda as Juve's only two fit forwards, at least one of these should be given the nod to face Pafos. Spalletti could make changes in the middle of the pitch, maybe hand Edon Zhegrova a rare start or unleash Fabio Miretti following Manuel Locatelli's struggles in Naples.
David and Openda both scored in the five-goal thriller at Bodo/Glimt in Juve's last Champions League outing, so are better employed for this competition than the slow pace of Serie A.
It is a risk, but Yildiz could be rested as the Bianconeri face tricky Serie A back-to-back games against Bologna and AS Roma before Christmas. The 20-year-old could always appear for the second half, just like he did in Norway with such great effect.
Bremer and Rugani back soon
Juve's lengthy injury list should soon improve, with defensive duo Gleison Bremer and Daniele Rugani likely to make an imminent return.
Unfortunately for Juventus, the high-grade adductor injury that Dusan Vlahovic suffered against Cagliari will leave the Serbia star sidelined until at least March following recent surgery.
The club may have to rethink about selling David this winter, while Spalletti continues to tinker his tactics. Although he is a versatile tactician, the changes against Napoli were the first time he has gone for two attackers and this ploy only failed because the pair are wingers. Time for more tweaks, but a mistake against Pafos would prove costly.
Pafos are capable of stunning Juve
On paper Pafos appears like a stroll in the park for Juventus, but the Cypriot side are ready to make an impact in their first Champions League campaign. Last season they reached the last 16 of the Conference League and won their maiden league title.
Pafos beat Maccabi Tel Aviv, Dynamo Kyiv and Red Star Belgrade during Champions League qualifying to secure the league phase of eight matches, and they have ex-Brazil defender David Luiz in their strong squad.
Spaniard Juan Carlos Carcedo became Pafos head coach in June 2023, and has transformed the club. He was assistant manager to Unai Emery at half-a-dozen clubs, including Arsenal, and will be eager to spring a surprise result over the fallen Italian giants.