Home SPORTS Serie A: Napoli Extend Serie A Lead with Comeback Win Over Juventus

Serie A: Napoli Extend Serie A Lead with Comeback Win Over Juventus

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Napoli moved six points clear at the top of the Serie A table with a 2-1 comeback win over Juventus, inflicting the Bianconeri's first league defeat of the season.



Napoli came from behind to defeat Juventus 2-1 in Serie A, with this match being only the second head-to-head encounter in the last five meetings where both teams scored. The win extends Napoli's lead at the top of the Serie A table.


Napoli immediately took the initiative, but Juventus almost took the lead within six minutes. Kenan Yıldız collected Khephren Thuram's pass and beat Leonardo Spinazzola, only to be denied by a superb save from Alex Meret. The hosts continued to press, looking dangerous in the wide areas, while Juventus dealt with Napoli's aerial threats effectively.


Debutant Randal Kolo Muani showed promising signs for Juventus, demonstrating good hold-up play and causing problems for Napoli's defense. However, Teun Koopmeiners' strike sailed harmlessly over the crossbar, and Matteo Politano's impressive volley from the edge of the box was the closest Napoli came to scoring in the early stages.


Nico Gonzalez drove forward but fired his shot past the post, while Juventus avoided a scare when Manuel Locatelli intercepted Michele Di Gregorio's underhit pass ahead of Scott McTominay. Stanislav Lobotka's ambitious strike marginally cleared the crossbar, and two crucial moments involving Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa proved pivotal. The midfielder headed over from a big opportunity and then inadvertently touched the ball towards Kolo Muani, who clinically finished to give Juventus the lead.



Matteo Politano attempted to conjure a response for Napoli before the break, coming agonizingly close with a free-kick he had won. Although the effort didn't yield a goal, it gave Napoli a glimmer of hope heading into the second half.


Napoli emerged for the restart with renewed determination, and Romelu Lukaku's header was denied by an outstanding save from Michele Di Gregorio. However, there was nothing the goalkeeper could do to stop Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa in the 57th minute, as he met Politano's cross ahead of Weston McKennie to score with a clinical header.



Politano and Lukaku continued to test the Juventus defense, with their efforts being deflected behind by Andrea Cambiaso and Federico Gatti, respectively. Napoli's relentless pressure eventually paid off when Scott McTominay earned a penalty by drawing a foul from Manuel Locatelli. Lukaku coolly converted the penalty, sending Di Gregorio the wrong way to give Napoli the lead.


Having established their lead, Napoli remained solid to see out their seventh consecutive victory and extend their advantage atop the Serie A table to six points. Although Inter Milan have two games in hand, Napoli's win inflicted Juventus' first defeat in 22 league matches this term, compounding the misery of a side with just one win from their last seven matches across all competitions.



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