A HATTRICK FOR NAPOLI

By
Ratul Ghosh
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Napoli hosted Juventus seeking to continue their perfect run as the away side aim to notch up their maiden win of the season. Right after kickoff, Insigne found Politano whose arching header flew over the bar. That immediately set the tone for the opening 10 minutes with the home side getting forward regularly.

 

 

However, it was the Old Lady who took the lead in fortuitous fashion. Manolas’ attempted backpass from near the right hand side was charged down by Morata who ran at Ospina in the Napoli goal before placing the ball past the goalkeeper. That marked the game getting more even afterwards as Napoli searched for the leveler.

With the game crossing the half hour mark, the home side were getting frustrated by the stoic defence in front of them. Elmas scythed down Kulusevski and earned the game’s first yellow card.

 

 

Kulusevski had a brilliant chance just before halftime as the ball broke kindly for him to race on to. Ospina’s smothering of the subsequent shot kept the score 1-0 at the break.

The Partenopei once again dominated the attack and this time they actually earned their rewards. Insigne’s curling shot was dropped by Szceszny as he tried to catch it into the path of Politano. The attacker made no mistake, sneaking the ball home on his weaker right foot to restore parity.

 

 

Juventus were struggling to even get on the ball, much less go forward themselves. Napoli were enjoying all the possession and looked very likely to add another. Ruiz’s fierce shot after a punch from Szceszny sailing just over the bar with the match entering the final 15 minutes. The winner for the hosts came from another error.

 

 

Kean’s misjudgment, just a short while after coming on off the bench, while heading a Napoli corner towards his goalkeeper saw Szceszny somehow claw it back from over the line. However, the Pole was helpless as Koulibaly lashed home the rebound with five minutes left. That was how it remained for the rest of the match with Juventus having no answers in the little time remaining.

Here are the three key takeaways from the match:

 

DESERVING NAPOLI REMAIN PERFECT

Luciano Spaletti’s side were very much the better side in Naples and a draw would have been a very harsh result. They started the game excellently but were unlucky to fall behind. Manolas’ lackadaisical play allowing Morata to score. Since then, it was a much more even contest with both teams being cautious in their approach. They could fallen two behind but for Ospina’s quick thinking.

 

 

However, they did not make the same mistakes after the break. They started on the front foot and forced Juventus to sit back without the ball. That enterprising play paid off, albeit with the help of a poor decision from Szceszny as Politano netted. The clincher came five minutes from time from Koulibaly which made it three wins from three.

 

TOOTHLESS JUVENTUS SINK FURTHER

Yes, the Bianconeri scored but their overall performance was far from what would have been expected. Morata’s fine finish seemed to paper over the cracks for much of the match but it was not enough. There was not enough creativity or threat going forward while the defence seemed confused as to who was marking whom.

 

 

Apart from that Kulusevski chance, they had no clear plan or structure to overturn their opponents’ domination. The second half got even poorer with Juventus barely getting hold of the ball for longer than 10 seconds. Despite Szceszny’s error for the first goal, he was helpless for the second as Koulibaly knocked home.

 

MISSING RONALDO?

On the day the the Portuguese scored a brace for Manchester United to help them win, the player brought in to score for Allegri compounded their miseries. Kean’s incredibly bad attempt at heading a corner gifted Napoli the win while on the other side, he looked completely ineffective.

 

 

Granted Paulo Dybala and Federico Chiesa were big misses but this Juventus team were poor for 90% of the match. With just one point from the opening three games, this threatens to become a long season for all involved in Turin.

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Ratul Ghosh
Ratul Ghosh
His name means Red and a fan of devilish food, which equals to his favourite team being Manchester United. Can be found sleeping or in front of the TV otherwise. Hates waking up early but loves staying up late for football.

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