The Italian media have ripped into Newcastle flop Nick Woltemade despite the German striker having only just moved to Juventus.

Woltemade, 24, joined the Italian giants on a season-long loan on Deadline Day, and he has made two substitute appearances over the past few weeks.

However, after Sunday's 3-2 defeat by Sassuolo - a game in which Woltemade missed two clear-cut chances - Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport were heavily critical of his display.

'Woltemade is clearly having major problems integrating himself into the team's dynamic,' they wrote.

'He tried his best. But in the decisive moments, he lacks clarity in his actions, which is particularly noticeable in these games where every action can be crucial.'

They added: 'Woltemade squanders: The German lacks precision and does everything wrong.'

Woltemade and fellow attacker Randal Kolo Muani, who struggled on loan at Tottenham last season, have come under particularly heavy criticism after being two of the club's statement summer signings.

Writing about the pair - who are yet to 'make a difference' since joining - the same outlet said: 'Four games and not a single goal, plus several scenes that quickly circulated as mocking social media clips among rival fans.

'Clumsy ball control, botched back heel flicks that landed at the feet of the opposition, and – what is particularly troubling – hardly any dangerous scoring opportunities. No, this cannot continue. Juventus' attack is not working.'

That view was echoed elsewhere, with Corriere dello Sport similarly brutal in their assessment of the two strikers.

'How annoying is it when the very new signings you chased for months (and paid far too much for) turn out to be the biggest disappointments of the team?,' they wrote.

The latest criticism for Woltemade comes after Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti bizarrely compared him to 'a horse that likes to be petted and ridden' after his debut.

The German striker had come off the bench in the 75th minute of a clash against AC Milan, with Juventus trailing 1-0.

Woltemade nearly made an immediate impact when the ball fell kindly for him in the penalty area and he swung a boot at it, but was ultimately unable to keep his shot down as the chance went begging.

Woltemade did manage to win a free-kick in stoppage time, however, and the Turin side capitalised, with Federico Gatti heading home a dramatic equaliser to secure a valuable point against Ruben Amorim's side.

After the match, Spalletti compared his new player to a Friesian horse, the breed known for its long, flowing mane and tail.

Spalletti told Tuttosport: 'What type of horse is he? I have a Friesian, he seems very similar to me.

'He is statuesque, he inspires a bit of fear from a physical point of view and then he is very sweet and lets himself be stroked and ridden.

'He becomes very good also in relations with his teammates. He’s good at holding his own physically, and ever since I met him, he’s been smiling constantly. He’s so happy to be here, and that’s already a big thing.'

Juventus have seven points from four Serie A games so far this season, and are back in action on Thursday when they take on NEC Nijmegen in the Europa League.