Napoli draw sets up Juventus

Milan – Juventus are practically assured of winning a seventh successive Serie A title after second-placed Napoli were held 2-2 by Torino on Sunday.

Juventus have a sixpoint lead in Serie A with two games left to play. Both teams are equal in head-tohead clashes but Juventus are well ahead of their rivals on goal difference.

The champions now need just one point to officially retain their crown with games to come against Roma in the Stadio Olimpico and relegated Verona in Turin.

Torino twice battled back from a goal down to steal a point from Maurizio Sarri’s side who had been bidding for a first title since the days of Argentina legend Diego Maradona in 1987 and 1990.

“We battled for top spot right down to the wire,” said Sarri. “In the end it come down to minor details.

“We did everything within our power to give Juventus a run for their money, but objectively speaking they have greater resources than us and we couldn’t have done any more than we did.”

Napoli’s last win was against Juventus in Turin two weeks ago.

Dries Mertens celebrated his 31st birthday by putting Napoli ahead after 25 minutes after a shocking defensive error by Torino’s Nicolas Burdisso, with captain Marek Hamsik coming off the bench to add a second for the hosts and his 100th in Serie A after 71 minutes.

But Daniele Baselli pulled the visitors level 10 minutes into the second half with a dejected Sarri burying his head in his hands as Lorenzo de Silvestri headed in seven minutes from time.

“I got angry because I want to finish the season as well as possible,” said the Napoli coach.

Juventus had recovered from a goal down to beat Bologna 3-1 on Saturday to take a seven-point lead. –