Napoli misplaced floor within the Serie A title race as they have been held to a 1-1 draw away at Juventus on Thursday night time.
Juve dominated early on and will have gone forward when Weston McKennie met Federico Bernardeschi’s nook, however the American may solely nod huge from the centre of the field.
Considerably in opposition to the run of play it was the guests who took the lead as Dries Mertens collected Matteo Politano’s layoff to fireside past each Wojciech Szczesny and the retreating Matthijs de Ligt.
Napoli seemed to have seize the initiative however could not construct on their benefit and have been made to pay when Federico Chiesa shot in from exterior the field by way of a Stanislav Lobotka deflection.
Napoli at the moment are six factors behind Serie A leaders Inter, who had their Thursday recreation postponed, and 5 behind Milan who beat Roma 3-1. In the meantime, Juve are down in fifth, three factors behind fourth place Atalanta.
Wojciech Szczesny (GK) – 6/10 – Had just a few routine saves to make all through. Acquired a finger on Mertens’ strike which stopped De Ligt having the ability to clear it, although it is arduous to connect any blame to both for the mix-up.
Juan Cuadrado (RB) – 6/10 – With Juve struggling to create in midfield, Cuadrado was one in all their principal hopes within the attacking third. Buzzed round on the fitting and was at all times an outlet, however could not make a large affect.
Daniele Rugani (CB) – 7/10 – With Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci out, Rugani was given a uncommon begin and did moderately effectively. Chiellini and Bonucci’s absences weren’t that noticeable, which says sufficient.
Matthijs de Ligt (CB) – 7/10 – Retreated onto the road however the slightest contact from Szczesny diverted Mertens’ shot out of his path. Positionally he was glorious and by no means shy of getting on the ball.
Alex Sandro (LB) – 5/10 – Booked for hacking down Politano. As soon as seen as one of many extra threatening full backs in European soccer however could not muster up something of word right here.
Manuel Locatelli (CM) – 7/10 – In a subject of dodgy and stodgy Juve midfielders, Locatelli is among the shiny sparks. Extra progressive and inventive than his colleagues, although it did not all come off.
Weston McKennie (CM) – 5/10 – Missed a completely golden likelihood to open the scoring, heading huge with the purpose at his mercy.
Adrien Rabiot (CM) – N/A – No thought what he brings to this Juve group. No creativity, no defensive stability, no attacking menace.
Federico Bernardeschi (RW) – 4/10 – Minimize inside and overran the ball on just a few events within the first half. Had been in scorching kind however that was extinguished on Thursday night time.
Alvaro Morata (ST) – 4/10 – Passing was slopping when precision was wanted and his capturing was off.
Federico Chiesa (LW) – 9/10 – Appeared sharp within the opening exchanges, seeing a shot blocked earlier than firing simply huge. Dragged Juve again into the competition courtesy of his deflected purpose.
Paulo Dybala (AM) – 7/10 – Introduced a save from Ospina moments after approaching. Lifted Juve’s tempo together with his introduction.
Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) – 5/10
Moise Kean (ST) – 5/10
Mattia De Sciglio (LB) – 5/10
Dejan Kulusevski (LW) – 5/10
David Ospina (GK) – 7/10 – Made just a few sharp stops and was an assured presence on the again.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo (RB) – 6/10 – Acquired a great block in to disclaim Chiesa. First rate on the fitting however did lose Chiesa on just a few events.
Amir Rrahmani (CB) – 7/10 – Repelled plenty of what Juve threw at his backline. Very regular.
Juan Jesus (CB) – 7/10 – Made some essential blocks and was hardly ever caught out of place. Hardly Napoli’s first selection centre-back however this efficiency would have inspired supervisor Luciano Spalletti.
Faouzi Ghoulam (LB) – 6/10 – Loved a pleasant quantity of house to discover within the first half.
Diego Demme (CM) – 6/10 – The three of Demme, Lobotka and Zielinksi labored effectively in opposition to Juve’s muddled trio. Demme used the ball properly however was additionally booked for dissent.
Stanislav Lobotka (CM) – 7/10 – Supplied some good stability to Napoli’s midfield. Unfortunate with the deflection for Chiesa’s purpose however was strong other than that.
Piotr Zielinski (AM) – 6/10 – Buzzed round behind the entrance three properly. Examined Szczesny with a fierce drive which was a bit of too central. Affect waned within the second half.
Matteo Politano (RW) – 6/10 – Drifted infield properly earlier than helping Mertens. Introduced off for Elmas within the second half.
Dries Mertens (ST) – 7/10 – Stayed composed to rattle within the opener. Acquired plenty of pictures away however was usually repelled by Szczesny.
Lorenzo Insigne (LW) – 8/10 – Was steadily the free man on the left. Introduced a good save from Szczesny from a decent angle. Knitted Napoli’s attacking play collectively excellently.
Eljif Elmas (RW) – 5/10
Andrea Petagna (ST) – N/A
Alessandro Zanoli (RB) – N/A
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