Juventus Turin had not lost 29 league games in a row across all seasons. But this streak came to an end against league leaders Napoli, with Anguissa and Lukaku turning the game around for the southern Italians after Kolo Muani’s first goal.
It is the footballing proxy duel of the rivalry between northern and southern Italy: SSC Napoli against record champions Juventus Turin. This time, the duel at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona once again took place under unusual circumstances: the Gli Azzuri were hosting the – still unbeaten in the league – fifth-placed Juve as league leaders.
Compared to the 3-2 win in Bergamo, Napoli coach Antonio Conte saw no need for change and only replaced the injured Olivera with Spinazzola. At Juve, Thiago Motta brought in former Schalke player McKennie, Thuram and Yildiz for Savona, Douglas Luiz and Weah after the goalless draw in the Champions League in Bruges. In addition, new loan signing Kolo Muani made his debut in the black and white jersey, for which Mbangula had to leave.
It was an intense game right from the start, with Napoli in particular alternating between high, man-oriented pressing and their usual deep defense. As a result, both offensive lines were unable to score for a long time.
Kolo Muani scores first Serie A goal
Yilmaz had a great chance to take the lead after six minutes, but Meret saved his shot despite being beaten. Juve remained harmless thereafter, except for half-chances from Gonzalez (30th) and again Yildiz (36th). There were no high-carat chances on the other side either: long-range shots from Politano (20th) and Lobotka (39th) missed their target, Anguissa headed over (41st).
But suddenly the Bianconeri scored: Anguissa involuntarily laid it on for Kolo Muani, who was alone in front of Meret and scored his first Serie A goal in his debut (43rd minute). Politano put the visitors back in the lead at half-time with a well-taken free-kick, but it went centimeters over the crossbar (45.+2).
Di Gregorio makes one save – but Anguissa and Lukaku turn the game
Napoli came out of the dressing room more offensively, while Juve dropped deep. And Lukaku had the best chance to equalize, but he was stopped by a great reflex save from Di Gregorio on the line (50′). But with the next scene, the Gli Azzurri did equalize after all, with Anguissa heading the ball into the net (57′).
The game now swung completely in the direction of the home side, with Juve only chasing the ball. Cambiaso was able to block a volley from Politano (63), after which Anguissa headed a corner wide (64). After a foul by Locatelli on McTominay, there was finally a penalty for Napoli, which Lukaku converted safely (69′ ). The game was turned around.
The Bianconeri couldn’t change anything, they didn’t have a real shot in the entire second half. As a result, the Turin team went down for the first time in 29 Serie A games without a defeat, a result that was fully deserved. Napoli, on the other hand, celebrated their seventh win in a row and continue to lead the table, with Inter lurking three points behind and still having a game in hand.
