Federico Gatti heads Juventus top after narrow defeat of wasteful Napoli
Juventus delivered an efficient performance as they moved back to top spot in Serie A on Friday, securing a 1-0 home win against a wasteful Napoli thanks to a header from Federico Gatti.
Six minutes into the second half, Juventus broke the deadlock when Gatti met an Andrea Cambiaso cross at the back post, outjumping his marker to head into the net. Napoli had numerous chances but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia missed a clear opportunity around the half-hour mark and Victor Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside in the second half.
“We did well in the first half, moving the ball side to side, then in difficult moments the team becomes a block of granite,” Juventus manager, Massimiliano Allegri, told Dazn. “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.”
Asked about their hopes of a topfour finish, Allegri said: “We can even say in the dressing room that we have the ambition to win the Scudetto but you need to get results. There’s no point talking about what might be, we need to focus on what is.”
Napoli created several early chances, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo denied by WojciechSzczesny’s goalline save and Matteo Politano narrowly missing the post moments later. Juventus had their best chance of the first half when Dusan Vlahovic’s close-range attempt was blocked by Natan, and Weston McKennie’s subsequent overhead kick was denied by Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret.
“Anyone who knows football realises there are moments. The guys played a great game, I think they dominated the match and forced Juventus to defend in their own area for almost the entire second half,” manager, Walter Mazzarri, said.
Napoli’s intense start saw them creating several early chances, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo denied by Szczesny’s goal-line save and Matteo Politano narrowly missing the post moments later. Juve had their best chance of the first half when Dusan Vlahovic’s close-range attempt was blocked by Natan, and Weston McKennie’s subsequent rebound with an overhead kick was denied by Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret.
Just before the half-hour mark, Kvaratskhelia found himself alone with Szczesny inside the box after being set free by Osimhen. However, the Georgian winger sent the ball over the bar, much to therelief of the home fans, and causing visible frustration for Mazzarri.
“I have seen a team that always played good football, better than the opposition, but we don’t seem to be able to score goals. If we do not score that Kvara chance, it is a clear sign we are in a negative period. Bad luck happens too,” Mazzarri said. “I am convinced that if we play like this, we will have a run of positive results and really climb the table.”
Napoli’s difficulties in front of goal continued when Di Lorenzo struck a powerful shot from close range just before the break, only to be denied by Szczesny’s exceptional diving save.
After Gatti’s goal, Napoli’s level dropped and they struggled to create chances to equalise. Osimhen put the ball into the net for Napoli after Szczesny’s pass was intercepted and knocked back to the Nigerian, but the offside flag was raised.
Juventus top the table with 36 points, one ahead of Internazionale who host struggling Udinese on Saturday. For Napoli, the match highlighted their struggling form, marking three consecutive defeats across all competitions for Mazzarri’s side. They are fifth with 24 points.