Napoli reply to Juve to stay top in Serie A

NAPOLI matched Juventus with a 1-0 win over SPAL yesterday to regain top spot in Italy from the champions who had earlier won the Turin derby by the same score.

“I expected a response after the Europa League (defeat to RB Leipzig),” said Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri, but added his side should have scored more.

“We became too lazy and wanted to walk the ball into the net. We were acting 10 minutes from time as if we were 3-0 up, not 1-0.”

Both clubs could thank Brazilians for the three points with Alex Sandro scoring for Juventus after 33 minutes and Allan putting Napoli ahead after just six minutes.

Napoli have 66 points after 25 games with Juventus one point behind. AS Roma moved third 15 points behind the top two with a 2-0 win at Udinese Saturday as Inter Milan fell back into crisis with a 2-0 loss in Genoa.

“This team appears to only have Serie A in its mind and has no motivation for anything else,” added the Napoli coach of his side’s bid for a third Serie A title and first since 1990.

In the battle for Europe, Giacomo Bonaventura scored on 14 minutes as AC Milan continued their revival under Gennaro Gattuso, beating Sampdoria 1-0 to pull level with the side from Genoa in sixth with 41 points.

Sampdoria goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano saved a Ricardo Rodriguez spot kick, with Leonardo Bonucci’s second for the hosts ruled offside.

“The credit goes to the lads, as they just needed a spark to fire them up,” said Gattuso.

“We can enjoy the moment but nothing has been achieved yet. We’ve left many points on the road and have to work.”

Just behind Milan, Atalanta were held 1-1 by Fiorentina with tailenders Benevento snatched their third win 3-2 against Crotone with a last-gasp goal from new signing Cheick Diabate. – AFP