Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli suffered their first setback of the season on Sunday as a double strike from French forward Gregoire Defrel helped Sampdoria seal a shock 3-0 win over the Serie A runners-up.
Former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss Ancelotti opted for an experimental side for his third game in charge, with attacking trio Marek Hamsik, Jose Callejon Dries Mertens on the bench and Simone Verdi getting his debut.
Sampdoria were playing their first game at home since the Genoa bridge disaster, which killed 43 people in the western port city.
The defeat means Napoli lose ground on Juventus, who despite Cristiano Ronaldo still waiting for his first goal, have three wins from three after Saturday’s 2-1 success at promoted Parma.
It also gives Ancelotti’s side reason to worry ahead of tough upcoming Champions League fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool.
Massimiliano Allegri’s seven-time reigning champions sit top the Serie A table with nine points after three matches and are oozing confidence going into the international break.
Other Champions League contender, Roma — third in Serie A last season — also lost points with a 2-1 defeat to AC Milan at the San Siro on Friday.
Fiorentina have six points with Marco Benassi scoring the only goal in a win over Udinese after last week’s 6-1 rout of Chievo.
Atalanta followed their Europa League exit by falling 1-0 at home to Cagliari with Nicolo Barella scoring following a free-kick just before half-time.