Napoli back in title race after overcoming Juventus

Kalidou Koulibaly scored a late winner to help Napoli win 1-0 at Juventus and reignite Italy’s Serie A title race yesterday.

Napoli trailed Juventus by six points last weekend but the Bianconeri drew at Crotone midweek, and two straight wins for Maurizio Sarri’s team slashed the lead to a solitary point with four rounds left.

Juventus arguably have the tougher run-in as they face Champions League-chasing Inter Milan and Roma as well as Bologna and Hellas Verona.

Napoli play Fiorentina, Torino, Sampdoria and Crotone.

Napoli were aiming to boost their dream of a first title since Diego Maradona led the southern club to its only two Serie A championships in 1987 and 1990.

Their chances seemed to increase when key Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini limped off in the 10th minute and was replaced by Stephan Lichtsteiner.

However, Napoli struggled to find a way through the Bianconeri back line.

Ciro Immobile scored twice as Lazio beat Sampdoria 4-0 to keep pace with Roma and ahead of Inter Milan in the race for Champions League spots.

Lazio remained level on points with third-placed Roma and a point ahead of Inter, who won 2-1 at Chievo Verona.

None of the teams can catch either Napoli or Juventus. GERMANY Schalke put one foot in the Champions League next season while leaving Cologne on the brink of Bundesliga relegation with a 2-2 draw in a thunderstorm yesterday.

Host Cologne needed a win to keep alive any realistic hopes of survival but Breel Embolo scored for Schalke after just four minutes as the rain poured down and Yevhen Konoplyanka added a second as conditions worsened.

Cologne are now eight points from safety with three games remaining and the worst goal difference in the league.

Schalke consolidated second place, seven points clear of fifthplaced Hoffenheim. The top four qualify for the Champions League and Domenico Tedesco’s side need to win one of their remaining three games to be sure of reaching Europe’s premier competition.

Augsburg beat Mainz 2-0 to ensure their Bundesliga survival and leave the visitors in danger. SPAIN Second-placed Atletico Madrid were held 0-0 at home by Real Betis in La Liga in a second straight setback before they face Arsenal in the Europa League semifinals. Atletico, who lost 3-0 at Real Sociedad midweek, visit Arsenal in the first leg on Friday. Barcelona remain the overwhelming favourite to win La Liga, leading Atletico by 11 points. Thirdplace Real Madrid are four points behind Atletico. — AP SPAIN