Newcastle United loanee Nick Woltemade endured another difficult evening as Juventus suffered a heavy 3-0 home defeat to Lazio, a result that left the Turin club eighth in Serie A and eight points behind leaders Inter Milan.
Despite scoring in Thursday's Europa League win away to Celta Vigo, Woltemade started on the bench. He was brought on at half-time with Juventus 1-0 down, but could not help turn the tide as Lazio romped to victory.
Italian media verdict on Woltemade
Italian media delivered a damning assessment of the 24-year-old German's display. Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport and Calciomercato each gave him a 5/10 rating, which was better than many of his team-mates.
Tuttosport said: "Little tricks. Flashes. Minimal attempts. This game never changed." Calciomercato was harsher, stating: "Lots of good will, but very little substance. He's not the centre-forward Spalletti wanted and needed: has that already been said?"
Juventus's centre-forward problem
Further analysis of Juventus's struggles did not reflect well on Woltemade, who joined on a season-long loan from the Magpies at the end of the transfer window. Tuttosport said the club, which also has French forward Randal Kolo Muani in its ranks, "lack a centre forward."
The newspaper wrote: "It's clear that Juventus's squad has serious limitations and that something went wrong this summer too: the lack of a centre forward is a problem that cries out. The underestimation of the lack of character is also something that is being felt today. Spalletti is struggling, he has to juggle unsuitable players and too many injuries."
Spalletti's reaction
Woltemade is yet to score for Juventus in Serie A this season, though he has two goals in the Europa League. After the defeat, under-pressure boss Luciano Spalletti admitted his side was "inferior" to Lazio and accused some of his players of giving up.
He said: "The important thing is to show a reaction, not to let ourselves be abandoned by events. It's a question of character. We don't gamble our future on luck, but on our willpower. We are forced to learn this and be able to recognise it. Some young people today fight, others give up at the first push. It's always part of a person's character."
Spalletti added: "Something needs to be changed. I was surprised by the performance. I need to think carefully. I'll have to self-analyse the relationship with the team, which is beautiful and sincere. They realise, on their own, that what we did today is absolutely not right."
The defeat was met with jeers from fans inside the Allianz Stadium before and after the final whistle, with Woltemade left looking bewildered as the situation worsened for the home side.
