Key Takeaways:
- Rasmus Højlund netted twice, scoring in the 7th and 78th minutes to lead Napoli to a 2:1 win over Juventus
- Kenan Yildiz found the net for Juventus in the 59th minute, briefly equalising before Napoli’s late winner
- Napoli have reclaimed the top spot in Serie A with 31 points, while Juventus remain in 7th place with 23 points
Match Analysis
Napoli emerged victorious in a fiercely contested derby against Juventus, recording a 2:1 result at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in the 14th round of Serie A. Rasmus Højlund proved decisive for the hosts, scoring both goals and underlining Napoli’s dominance throughout much of the encounter. Kenan Yildiz’s second-half strike brought Juventus level, but the Neapolitans sealed the result with a late goal to deservedly claim all three points.
⏹️ Full time: #NapoliJuventus 2-1 💙💙💙💙💙
💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/bdPoPMlOGD
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) December 7, 2025
Team Line-Ups and Tactical Choices
Antonio Conte opted to deploy Højlund as the spearhead of Napoli’s attack, flanked by Noa Lang and David Neres. The full-back positions were occupied by Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Mathías Olivera, with Eljif Elmas and Scott McTominay anchoring the midfield holding roles.
Juventus, managed by Luciano Spalletti and deprived of key players owing to injury, operated without a recognised centre forward. Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceição formed the attacking duo up front, supported by Juan Cabal and Andrea Cambiaso as wing-backs. The midfield trio consisted of McKennie, Thuram, and Locatelli.
Major Events and Key Moments
Napoli pressed from the outset, fashioning the match’s first real threat when Scott McTominay’s header drifted narrowly wide in the 6th minute. Only a minute later, David Neres surged down the right flank and delivered a tantalising cross, which Højlund converted to open the scoring.
A near repeat followed in the 15th minute, as Neres crossed from the left, but Højlund missed making proper contact to extend Napoli’s advantage. Juventus’ initial attacking effort arrived via Kenan Yildiz, whose shot from distance in the 20th minute failed to threaten the target.
Napoli continued to push forward: Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s 26th-minute header forced a superb save from Michele Di Gregorio. Juventus finally strung together a promising attack in the 30th minute, but Francisco Conceição’s shot from the edge of the area soared well over. Their clearest opening came in the 34th minute when Yildiz set up Lloyd Kelly one-on-one with the Napoli keeper, only for Kelly to volley over the bar.
Just before the interval, Napoli struck the woodwork when McTominay’s powerful header from a corner hit the post.
Second Half: Equaliser and Decisive Moments
The second period began as the first ended, with Napoli on the front foot. Højlund, once again in a promising position, shot over, and McTominay later saw a curling free-kick miss the right post by mere centimetres in the 55th minute.
Despite Napoli’s pressure, it was Juventus who struck next. A rapid counter-attack saw Kenan Yildiz break through and slot past the advancing keeper in the 59th minute, restoring parity at 1:1.
Juventus began to play with increased composure but could not maintain the momentum. In the 78th minute, another threatening cross spelled trouble for the visitors—Weston McKennie’s failed clearance handed the opportunity to Højlund, who headed home his second and reclaimed the lead for Napoli.
During the closing stages, Juventus pressed forward but were unable to breach Napoli’s disciplined defence. In stoppage time, Edon Zhegrova created a late opportunity, although his effort was comfortably collected by Vanja Milinković-Savić.
Statistical Summary
| Team | Goals | Scorers (Minutes) | Points After Match | League Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napoli | 2 | Rasmus Højlund (7′, 78′) | 31 | 1 |
| Juventus | 1 | Kenan Yildiz (59′) | 23 | 7 |
Conclusion
Buoyed by Højlund’s clinical finishing, Napoli have once again established themselves atop the Serie A standings with 31 points. Juventus, meanwhile, find themselves in 7th on 23 points after struggling to assert themselves during this contest. The battle for supremacy continues as both sides look to build momentum in the weeks ahead.
