Four Juventus issues Thiago Motta has to fix after 2-1 loss to Napoli | OneFootball

Juventus suffered their first defeat of the 2024-25 Serie A season with a 2-1 loss to Napoli at the Stadio Maradona on Saturday, which has raised further questions surrounding Thiago Motta and his decisions in the Bianconeri dugout as the team now sit 16 points off Antonio Conte’s league leaders.

New signing Randal Kolo Muani got off the mark after just a handful of touches in a Bianconeri shirt, but Juventus went on to concede twice in the second half from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Romelu Lukaku from the penalty spot.

Juventus are now in fifth place in the Serie A table, 16 points off the top and two points off the Champions League positions, but Lazio, in fourth, still have to play on Sunday.

epa11852799 Napoli’s forward Romelu Lukaku scores during the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs Juventus Football Club at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, 25 January 2025. EPA-EFE/CIRO FUSCO

Thiago Motta and Juventus questioned after Napoli loss

Several Italian outlets have asked questions of Juve and their coach following the disappointing loss to Napoli on Saturday.

A common concern among the Italian press is Juventus’s inability to hold onto a lead this season. They have now dropped 17 points from winning positions this season. Six of those games ended in draws, while Saturday’s game against Napoli brought the first league loss of the season.

NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Frank Anguissa of Napoli scores his side first goal during the Serie A match between Napoli and Juventus at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

The recurring draws has also been a standard complaint about Juventus for most of this season. They had gone 21 matches unbeaten at the start of the 2024-25 campaign, but with 13 of those games ending in draws, there was not quite as much excitement as a run of that length should have brought.

Corriere dello Sport, meanwhile, criticised Juventus after the Napoli loss for their lack of determination and spirit. Sunday’s round-up suggests that Napoli had far more ‘courage’ than their opponents, which helped to send them on their way to victory.

There have also been questions over Thiago Motta’s use of Dusan Vlahovic.

epa11777785 Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic during the Italian Serie A soccer match Juventus FC vs Venezia FC at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy, 14 December 2024. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO

The Serbian had to start in practically every game he was available for during the first half of the season due to a lack of available alternatives, but he has now started on the bench in the last three matches in all competitions following a brief spell out with a muscular issue.

The concern for Juventus is that he earns far too much money to be considered an option off the bench, but Thiago Motta has still not unlocked the striker’s best form over a consistent run of fixtures when he has been in the team.