Young keeper deprives Napoli

AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma foiled title challengers Napoli with a stunning stoppage-time save in a 0-all draw yesterday as Juventus took full advantage by beating Sampdoria 3-0 to go six points clear at the top of Italian Serie A.

Substitute Douglas Costa set up all three goals as Juve put their Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid behind them and took a big step towards a seventh straight title.

AS Roma, fresh from their remarkable comeback win against Barcelona in the Champions League, hit the woodwork twice in a 0-all draw with neighbours Lazio.

Lazio had Stefan Radu sent off in a fiery match which left the two sides level on points in third place.

Juve have 84 points with Napoli on 78 followed by Lazio and AS Roma on 61.

Donnarumma, 19, who became Milan’s first-choice keeper at the age of 16, was making his 100th Serie A appearance, and his reflex save from Napoli substitute Arkadiusz Milik must rank among his finest.

“It was an extraordinary save by an extraordinary goalkeeper,” said Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri.

Juve went ahead on the stroke of halftime when Mario Mandzukic volleyed home Costa’s cross.

The Brazilian winger crossed for Benedikt Hoewedes to head the second goal on the hour and Costa’s brilliant solo run set up the third for Sami Khedira. — AAP ITALY