JUVENTUS starlet Nicolo Fagioli was overcome with tears on the bench after being hauled off straight after his error handed Sassuolo victory.
Fans were split over boss Max Allegri's "too ruthless" treatment of Fagioli as team-mates tried to console the Italy midfielder.
The 22-year-old's poor clearance led to Sassuolo sub Gregoire Defrel swivelling to fire the only goal on 64 minutes.
Having been docked 15 points for illicit transfer dealings, Juve are now four points adrift of the top six.
And one-club man Fagioli had his head in his hands crying after Allegri's swift action.
Late Pope lies in state at Vatican as thousands queue to pay respects
One fan posted: "I look at this and think, this is why Allegri has won 5 Serie A Titles. I rate Fagioli but NO ONE should be overprotected, NO ONE."
Another wrote: "Fagioli in tears on the bench after coming off. Yes, he made a mistake, but this isn't on him. He's been brilliant for so much of the season. Can't let this rest on his head."
And a third claimed: "Some managers are too ruthless to youngsters."
But many supporters backed the one-cap ace to bounce back as a linchpin player for the Old Lady.
Such views included: "Fagioli made a mistake but he's one of the few players that you can see genuinely cares about the shirt and our club. I actually love him."
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
But maybe one post spoke for most.
It read: "Fagioli crying is so heartbreaking. Even the best make mistakes. It was an accident as he gave the ball away for Sassuolo to score. Still the same player everyone wants to see in midfield everyday for Juventus."
Filip Kostic was taken off at the same time as Fagiolo, with Allegri bringing on Fabio Miretti and Federico Chiesa in a failed attempt to rescue at least a point.
And Allegri refused to blame Fagioli for the defeat despite hauling him off.
Shocking moment tiger mauls circus tamer in front of horrified families at show
The boss said after the game: "His tears mean he is a responsible boy.
"He made a mistake but he is not guilty of the loss, we are all responsible."
Meanwhile, Napoli remain 14 points clear in the Italian top-flight.
But Tammy Abraham's stoppage-time goal helped Jose Mourinho's Roma move clear in third with Sunday's 3-0 home win over Udinese.
