In the big showdown of the weekend, Napoli hosted a depleted Juventus side at the Stadio Maradona. The visitors took an early lead when Alvaro Morata stole the ball from Kostas Manolas before putting it home. Nonetheless, the Partenopei completed a memorable second half comeback. Matteo Politano scored the equalizer after pouncing on the rebound, and Kalidou Koulibaly grabbed the winner late in the match thanks to a shocking howler from Moise Kean. So let’s take a look at the player ratings of the big Serie A clash between Napoli and Juventus which ended in a 2-1 victory for the hosts.
Napoli XI
David Ospina – 6
Unlike the Bianconeri’s South American stars, the Colombian goalkeeper was deemed fit to start, and denied Kulusevski with a brilliant first half save to keep his side in the match. Couldn’t save Morata’s goal, but that he wasn’t the main culprit in that one.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 6.5
The Italian international was solid at the back, preventing the likes of Rabiot and Kulusevski from causing danger from the left flank.
Kostas Manolas – 5.5
The former Roma man costed his side a goal when he was easily disarmed by Morata. He was rarely involved after that, as Napoli took the initiative.
Kalidou Koulibaly – 7.5
After his famous winner at the Allianz Stadium in 2018, the towering defender once again delivered a later winner for Napoli against Juventus, pouncing on a big mistake from Kean. Always reliable at the back, and his speedy runs prevented the opponents from causing danger on the counter attacks.
Mario Rui – 6.5
The much-maligned Portuguese put on a decent display on Saturday, and had the better of Bernardeschi in majority of their duels.
Fabian Ruiz – 6.5
The Spaniard was mostly absent throughout the first half, but came to life in the second period. His corner was behind Koulibaly’s winner, and almost scored from the a long range effort that sailed just over the woodwork.
André Zambo Anguissa – 6.5
A memorable debut for the former Fulham man who had a personal battle against Locatelli throughout the match. Won the ball back on countless occasions and his passing wasn’t bad either.
Elif Elmas – 5.5
The young Macedonian struggled to create something while operating in the whole, and was taken off by Luciano Spalletti at half time.
Matteo Politano – 6.5
The former Inter man almost found the back of the net with a header in the first 20 seconds of the match. Struggled to put his mark during the first hour, but eventually grabbed the equalizer, reacting first to the loose ball.
Lorenzo Insigne – 7
The captain was behind his team’s most dangerous opportunities for as long as he lasted on the pitch. Found Politano’s head in the first minute, and his curling effort culminated in the equalizer. Left the pitch with a potential muscular injury.
Victor Osimhen – 5.5
The Nigerian was always involved in the match, but his finishing let him down on numerous occasions. Struggled in his personal battle against Chiellini and Bonucci.
Napoli Substitutes
Adam Ounas – 6
The southerners appeared to be much livelier following the introduction of the talented Algerian.
Hirving Lozano – N/A
Piotr Zielinski – N/A
Kevin Malcuit – N/A
Andrea Petagna – N/A
400 – Lorenzo #Insigne plays today his 400th game for Napoli in all competitions, becoming the fourth player to reach this milestone for the club after Marek Hamsik (520), Giuseppe Bruscolotti (511) and Antonio Juliano (505). Icon.#SerieA #NapoliJuventus pic.twitter.com/bbZVJesi9u
— OptaPaolo ? (@OptaPaolo) September 11, 2021
Juventus XI
Wojciech Szczensy – 5
The Pole’s miserable run continues. Failed to parry Insigne’s shot away from the box, which allowed Politano to punish him on the rebound. Tried to rectify Kean’s howler on the late winner, but it only led to Koulibaly’s winner.
Mattia De Sciglio – 6
A decent performance from the former Milan man who tried his best to make up for the absences of Juan Cuadrado and Danilo. Was bullied off the ball on some occasion, but he was mostly reliable at the back.
Leonardo Bonucci – 6.5
The veteran defender had one or two nervy moments against Osimhen, but he had the better of the young striker on most occasions.
Giorgio Chiellini – 7
The captain made one vital interception after the other, and absolutely didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. Used his vast experience to control Osimhen physically and mentally.
Luca Pellegrini – 6
An encouraging display from the former Roma left-back who helped his side in maintaining clean sheet until he suffered from an injury. Delivered few good crosses as well.
Weston McKennie – 6
Despite his earlier troubles this week with the USMNT, the former Schalke man looked focused and put on a good first half. Faded a bit in the second period, but almost scored Juve’s second goal with a low drive that went past the post.
Manuel Locatelli – 6
The Euro 2020 winner started the match well, and made some key interceptions at the back while keeping things ticking in the middle of the pitch. But like the rest of the midfield pack, struggled to maintain his tempo after the break.
Adrien Rabiot – 5.5
The French international almost played as a left winger, but he was usually wasteful with the ball at his feet. Didn’t add much to Massimiliano Allegri’s midfield.
Dejan Kulusevski – 6
The Swede worked hard for his team, and kept Fabian in check during the first half. Almost scored a goal following a give-and-go with Morata but was denied by Ospina. Disappeared in the second period.
Alvaro Morata – 7
The Spaniard put his side in the lead with a solo effort, as he stole the ball from his old friend Manolas, and found the net with a clinical finish. Was left starving for chances by his teammates for the rest of the match.
Federico Bernardeschi – 5.5
The Azzurri star failed to cover for Federico Chiesa’s absence on the wing, as his runs rarely troubled the opponents. Lost the ball that led to Napoli’s equalizer.
Juventus Substitutes
Matthijs de Ligt – 6
Replaced Pellegrini following his injury, mostly acting as right-back, but still helped Bonucci and Chiellini in defending inside the box.
Aaron Ramsey – 5
We saw the Welshman replacing McKennie in the middle of the second half, and he wasn’t witnessed afterwards.
Moise Kean – 4.5
A nightmarish return to Juventus for the young striker. Instead of helping his team grab a late winner, he gifted a goal to Koulibaly after failing to clear the ball on the corner kick in the right manner.
Napoli vs Juventus 2-1: Koulibaly Breaks Balance in Three-Goal Sloppy Affair https://t.co/F5OI3ltDoS pic.twitter.com/yo3aEaCjwA
— The Cult of Calcio (@cultofcalcio) September 11, 2021