Juventus hold on to top spot
Milan, Sept. 30: Mario Mandzukic scored in each half as Juventus came from behind to beat tenman Napoli 3- 1 and open up a six- point lead on Carlo Ancelotti’s side at the top of the Italian league table.
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo played a role in all three goals as Massimiliano Allegri’s side ensured a maximum 21 points after seven games.
Napoli are on 15 points, after falling to their second defeat of the season.
“Ronaldo is enjoying his football, he has integrated very well,” said Allegri, adding, “He’s an extraordinary player, the passing is exceptional, and tonight was the best Ronaldo of the season, along with the high- level half- hour in Valencia.”
In Turin, Ancelotti’s first trip to his former club got off to a promising start when Jose Callejon volleyed for Dries Mertens to open the scoring after ten minutes.
But Ronaldo set up Mandzukic to head in the equaliser after 26 minutes.
The momentum then swung to Juventus with a Ronaldo effort ricocheting off the post and into the path of the onrushing Croat who tapped in four minutes after the break.
Napoli were struggling after Portuguese left- back Mario Rui was sent off on 58 minutes for a second bookable offence.
Ronaldo headed towards goal after a corner with centre- back Leonardo Bonucci sliding in the third on 76 minutes. Roma revived
Earlier Lorenzo Pellegrini came off the bench and lifted Roma to a 3- 1 win over bitter city rivals Lazio to revive his side’s stumbling start to the season.
The win ended Lazio’s four- match winning streak in Serie A and lifts Di Francesco’s side into fifth just behind their city rivals with 11 points from seven games.
“We reacted as men today, which was what I had asked for,” said Di Francesco. — AFP