Nick Woltemade faced criticism from the Italian media after missing a big chance in Juventus’ 3-2 defeat to Sassuolo on Sunday night.
The 6ft 6in German striker made his second appearance for the Serie A giants since arriving on a season-long loan from Newcastle United after coming on as a 60th-minute substitute.
Juventus fell behind five minutes after Woltemade’s introduction when Sebastiano Esposito put Sassuolo ahead, before Edon Zhegrova levelled in the 82nd minute. Then, less than two minutes later, Woltemade squandered a golden opportunity to put his side in front, heading Zhegrova’s corner wide from just six yards out.
Nick Woltemade of Juventus lies on the ground during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on September 13, 2026 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)placeholder image
Nick Woltemade of Juventus lies on the ground during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on September 13, 2026 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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The Old Lady went from the brink of taking the lead to falling behind again as Kieron Bowie restored Sassuolo’s lead. Zhegrova then struck again to seemingly rescue a point for the visitors, only for Vasilije Adzic to pop up with a 94th-minute winner.
Italian media criticise Nick Woltemade after Juventus loss
In their match report, La Gazzetta dello Sport wrote: “Kolo Muani's slump, having gone 179 days without a goal, continued, and the experiment of pairing him with Nick Woltemade in the final half-hour didn't work either.
“Woltemade appeared more of a "Friesian" (to use Spalletti's metaphor) at a walk than a gallop. He was capable of missing a great headed chance almost from the six-yard box.”
Woltemade gave a 5/10 by Tuttosport, who said: “Adds weight to no goals.” Corriere dello Sport gave the German a slightly higher mark of 5.5, but were equally strong, writing: “The entrance disrupted Sassuolo's defensive plans, but the header error at the end had an unbearable impact on the final verdict.”
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Newcastle United keeping a close eye on Nick Woltemade
Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle has vowed to keep a close eye on Woltemade during his time in Italy. Woltemade, as it stands, is due to return to Tyneside next summer as there is no obligation or option to buy in his loan agreement.
Woltemade only joined the Magpies last year for a club-record £64million but found himself behind the likes of Will Osula, Yoane Wissa and new £51million signing Matias Fernandez-Pardo in the pecking order.
“I really, really appreciate Nick,” Jaissle said. “As a player, for his quality on the pitch, but also I appreciate him as a human being and his quality off the pitch.
“We had always good conversations, really honest conversations, and he decided now to take another challenge in a top league as well, with a top club, and we will be monitoring him and looking and seeing him quite closely.
“I'm really curious how he's doing and I'm really optimistic that he will shine there. He will score a lot of goals there for sure, and he's still our player, so therefore we will for sure stay in close contact.”