Juventus' remarkable 36-match unbeaten streak in Serie A came to an abrupt end on Sunday, as they fell to a 5-1 away defeat against a rampant Napoli side. The loss marked the first time Juve had tasted defeat in the league since their 2-1 loss to Cagliari in December 2019.
Napoli's victory was a testament to their relentless attacking prowess. They peppered the Juventus goal with 20 shots, with 10 on target, and took an early lead through Lorenzo Insigne's penalty. Juventus struggled to contain Napoli's forward line, led by Dries Mertens, who scored twice, Victor Osimhen, who added another, and Matteo Politano, who rounded off the scoring. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a consolation goal for Juve, but it was a mere footnote in Napoli's comprehensive triumph.
The defeat was a harsh reminder of the growing gap between Juventus and the emerging powerhouses in Serie A. Napoli have now won 14 of their last 15 league games and currently sit three points ahead of Juve at the top of the table. Their attacking numbers are staggering: they have scored 50 goals in 20 league games, a league-best average of 2.5 goals per game.
Juventus, on the other hand, have struggled to maintain their previous dominance. They have only won five of their last 10 league games and have conceded 13 goals in that period. Their defense, once considered one of the strongest in Europe, has looked vulnerable against top opposition.
The defeat has sparked contrasting reactions from pundits and fans alike. Some argue that it is a sign of Juventus' decline and the rise of Napoli as the new force in Serie A. Others maintain that it was simply an off day for Juve and that they will bounce back from this setback.
Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso was understandably delighted with his team's performance. "We played a great game today," he said. "We were aggressive, we created chances, and we took our opportunities. I'm very proud of my players."
Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo was more reserved in his post-match comments. "We were not at our best today," he admitted. "Napoli deserved to win. We need to learn from this defeat and come back stronger."
Juventus' undefeated Serie A run was a remarkable achievement, but their defeat to Napoli has served as a wake-up call. Napoli are a formidable force, and they are now the favorites to win the title this season.
Juventus will need to regroup quickly if they want to challenge for the title. They have a difficult run of fixtures coming up, including matches against Inter Milan and Atalanta. How they respond to this setback will be crucial to their chances of success this season.
The defeat has implications beyond the Serie A title race. It raises questions about the future of Juventus and the Italian national team. Juventus have been the dominant force in Italian football for the past nine years, but their recent struggles suggest that their era of dominance may be coming to an end.
The Italian national team has also struggled in recent years, failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. The national team relies heavily on players from Juventus, so the club's decline could have a knock-on effect on the national team's fortunes.
The defeat to Napoli is a reminder that nothing lasts forever in football. Juventus have had a great run, but all good things must come to an end. The question now is whether they can bounce back from this setback and remain a force in Italian football.
 "Juve's Undefeated Serie A Run Crushed By Napoli's Unstoppable Attack")