Napoli’s difficult opening to the season took another uncomfortable turn in Venice, where Max Allegri’s side followed their heavy Champions League defeat away to Villarreal with a league loss at the Penzo. Venezia secured their first Serie A victory of the campaign, and the evening carried particular weight for former Napoli defender Juan Jesus.
A former Napoli player on the winning side
Juan Jesus, now part of the Venezia squad, helped his new club claim three valuable points against his former team. After the final whistle, the Brazilian used Instagram to celebrate Venezia’s result while also addressing the connection he still feels with Napoli.
- Venezia beat Napoli at the Penzo to register their first league win of the season.
- The defeat came shortly after Napoli’s substantial Champions League setback against Villarreal.
- Juan Jesus posted images from the match, describing the result as an important collective win and saying he was proud of the team’s effort and pleased for Venezia’s supporters.
- He also sent respect and affection to Napoli and their fans, writing that their shared history would not be forgotten.
Social media exchange raises the temperature
The defender’s post soon developed into a public discussion about Napoli’s decision not to retain him. One Napoli supporter wrote that Juan Jesus was better than the defenders currently playing for the club, praising his seriousness and professionalism while criticising sporting director Giovanni Manna.
Juan Jesus replied briefly: “You are right.”
Another user suggested that the defender could still have been part of Napoli’s squad this season. In his answer, Juan Jesus also referred to president Aurelio De Laurentiis, saying supporters should ask De Laurentiis and Manna because, in their view, he was “too old”, adding a laughing emoji.
Pressure grows after another Napoli defeat
The remarks ensured that Venezia’s first league success became more than a straightforward result on a Sunday afternoon. For Napoli, the loss added domestic frustration to their European disappointment; for Juan Jesus, it became a pointed reunion with a club he says he continues to respect, but whose summer judgement he clearly has not forgotten.
