Juventus earn narrow 1-0 win over Napoli to go top of the Serie A
Juventus earned a narrow 1-0 win over defending champions Napoli in Turin to go top of the Serie A table.
Despite several difficulties this season, Napoli started the game very positively and had numerous opportunities to score the opening goal. However, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia missed a huge chance, and Wojciech Szczesny made several saves to deny the visitors.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo came very close to scoring, but Szczesny made a goal-line save to keep Juve in the game.
Dusan Vlahovic had the best chance to take the lead for Juventus in the first half, but his attempt was blocked by Natan. Weston McKennie then tried to score on the rebound, but goalkeeper Alex Meret denied him.
Just before the 30-minute mark Napoli had another chance when Kvaratskhelia found himself alone with Szczesny inside the box, but the Georgian winger sent the ball over the bar.
In the second half, Juventus came out as a different team and just six minutes later, they broke the deadlock when Gatti collected Cambiaso’s cross at the back post, outjumping his marker to head it into the back of the net.
Federico Gatti scores again to send Juventus back to the top of Serie A
After Juventus took the lead, Napoli’s momentum dropped, and they struggled to create chances. Osimhen did put the ball into the net for Napoli after Szczesny’s pass was intercepted, but the flag was raised for offside.
The Old Lady now sit at the top of the Serie A table with 36 points, one ahead of Inter, who host Udinese on Saturday. As for Napoli, they have now suffered three consecutive defeats in all competitions and sit in fifth place with 24 points.
“We did well in the first half, moving the ball side to side, then in difficult moments the team becomes a block of granite,” Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri said.
“I have a group of players who work hard. We need to slow things down, not always try to make it one-touch football. We should control the ball better in some moments of the match.”
Juventus will face Genoa away from home in the Serie A on Friday. Whereas Napoli will face Braga in the Champions League on Tuesday.
