In a very entertaining game, Napoli claimed their second win in a row. Chiesa put Juventus back in front in the second half after a superb direct strike from Kvaratskhelia, before Joker Nonge made a mistake
After their liberating 6-1 win at Sassuolo, SSC Napoli were determined to go one better at home to Juventus. However, the champions almost invited the Bianconeri into the game: After Olivera lost the ball, Vlahovic headed a soft Chiesa cross just wide (10′). Napoli had more possession, but it was the visitors who were more determined, playing forward at lightning speed. Vlahovic tried to finish off Chiesa’s fine pass with a sensitive chip from an acute angle, but the post had something against it (34′).
Kvaratskhelia’s fine direct shot is on target
After that, Napoli began to find the gaps in the Old Lady’s defense. Juve were no longer able to withstand the constant onslaught of attacks in the 42nd minute: A deflected di Lorenzo cross landed with Kvaratskhelia, who slammed it into the near corner. Because Cambiaso deflected the direct shot, Szczesny was unable to get there and so could not prevent the goal (42′).
Vlahovic could have equalized, but standing free in front of goal, he curled the ball next to the goal (45′). Overall, it was not the Serbian attacker’s half, who also picked up his fifth yellow card and will therefore be missing against Atalanta Bergamo
Vlahovic wastes chances
The game remained entertaining after the break, with Cambiaso shooting over (53′) and Vlahovic failing to beat Meret (61′). But then the game flattened out
In the closing stages, it was the Bianconeri who, driven on by Chiesa time and again, seized the initiative and scored after previously missing many chances: Chiesa struck a low shot into the far corner to make it 1:1 (81′).
Jokers play a leading role
Many changes had also slowed down the flow of the game shortly beforehand. Napoli’s Raspadori (65) and Juve’s Nonge (76) were among those who came on. Both were to become the decisive players in the minutes that followed.
With less than ten minutes on the pitch, 18-year-old Nonge, in only his second Serie A game, struck Osimhen on the top of the ankle in the penalty area – referee Maurizio Mariani awarded a penalty (86′) following a VAR referral and a review of the images. However, the fouled player shot poorly and Szczesny saved. However, Raspadori won the sprint of the pursuing players and fired the ball into the left corner of the net to give Napoli their second win in a row (88′).
Rugani almost struck again in stoppage time, as he did a week ago in the 3-2 win over Frosinone, but the defender’s shot revealed the Bianconeri’s main problem on Sunday evening: they simply didn’t put enough on target – not even the last action (90.+2).
This means the three-pointer against Frosione remains Juve’s only win from their last six games. On Monday evening, league leaders Inter have the chance to put 15 points between themselves and the chasing pack against Genoa.
