In what was a hugely exciting affair in Turin on Thursday night, Juventus and Napoli had to settle for a point apiece as they played out a 1-1 draw in front of a depleted Allianz crowd.
With Inter Milan’s contest against Bologna earlier in the day scrapped amidst farcical scenes at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Dries Mertens’ first-half strike was eventually equaled out by Juve ace Federico Chiesa nine minutes after the break.
Two sides who were making their return from Italy’s festive break in midweek, we have taken a look at the key talking points as the two Italian giants played out an enjoyable stalemate on Thursday.
The Old Lady battle back
Last seen heading into Italy’s festive break with back-to-back 2-0 victories against Cagliari and Bologna, Head Coach Massimiliano Allegri had made it clear that he is calling his side to find some stability in 2022.
Enduring what was a nightmare start to the season and breaking a host of unwanted records at the Allianz, Thursday’s hosts would have been disappointed to have missed out on what many in Turin were regarding as a golden chance.
However, falling behind midway through the first-half after Weston McKennie put his routine header the wrong side of David Ospina’s post, Allegri would have still enjoyed the resolve that his side showed after the interval.
Taking just nine minutes to level the scoreline as Chiesa’s deflected effort found a way into the bottom corner, Juventus also came close to snatching a last-gasp winner as second-half sub Moise Kean guided his header over the bar.
Managing to welcome back attacking talisman Paulo Dybala who was making his first appearance since December 11th, Thursday’s 1-1 draw does mean that Allegri’s men extend their unbeaten run to six Serie A matchups on the spin.
Positives for a depleted Napoli
Announcing earlier in the week that Head Coach Luciano Spalletti had returned a positive COVID-19 test and would be unable to make the trip to Turin, it is fair to say that Napoli’s preparations were far from ideal.
Dealing with a coronavirus outbreak in their camp, multiple injuries and players away at this year’s AFCON, the Azzurri’s bench included five starlets who are yet to make a single first-team appearance.
However, taking a first-half lead as their all-time leading goalscorer Mertens powered his effort past Wojciech Szczęsny, a heavily-depleted Napoli squad showed leave the Allianz with a host of positives.
Heading into the festive break with a stunning 1-0 loss at home against Spezia, fans around Naples will be demanding their side kick-start this season’s campaign in 2022.
Despite Thursday’s 1-1 draw meaning that Spalletti’s side have won just one of their previous six Serie A contests, the Blues still find themselves leading the chase for a Champions League return after their stunning start to the season.
What’s coming up for both?
While Juventus might have been left disappointed to have not come past a depleted Napoli on Thursday night, the Old Lady would have at least been glad to have extend on their unbeaten run.
Still sat three points adrift of Atalanta and knowing that La Dea still hold a game in hand, Allegri faces what could be an important week away from Turin.
Next seen facing off against Jose Mourinho’s Roma at the Stadio Olimpico this weekend, Juve will also make the trip to the San Siro on January 12th when they meet Inter Milan in the final of this year’s Italian Super Cup.
As for Napoli, dealing with the worst possible preparation ahead of Thursday’s trip to the Allianz, the Azzurri will be hoping to build off of those positives if they’re to clinch a Champions League return this season.
Expected to once again not have Spalletti in their dugout over the next week, the Blues will be next seen on Sunday afternoon when they welcome Sampdoria to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Match Report:
Juventus: Szczesny, Cuadrado, De Ligt, Rugani, Sandro, McKennie, Locatelli, Rabiot, Bernardeschi, Morata, Chiesa
Subs: Kulusevski, Bentancur, Kean, Dybala, De Sciglio
Napoli: Ospina, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan, Ghoulam, Lobotka, Demme, Pollitano, Zielinski, Insigne, Mertens
Subs: Elmas, Petagna, Zanoli
Goals: Juventus: Chiesa 54′ – Napoli: Mertens 23′
Yellow Cards: Juventus: Sandro, Dybala – Napoli: Demme
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Simone Sozza
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