A 2-1 triumph for Napoli over Juventus was achieved at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona thanks to an 88th-minute goal by Giacomo Raspadori.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put Napoli ahead in the 42nd minute with a volley, but Federico Chiesa scored in stoppage time to equalize. This was Kvaratskhelia’s ninth goal of the season.
Wojciech Szczesny saved a penalty by Victor Osimhen, but Raspadori scored a stunning winner, leaving Chiesa to think he had done enough to salvage a draw.
With their first back-to-back league wins since September, Napoli climb to seventh place, while Juventus hold on to second place, 12 points behind Inter, who are atop Serie A.
The defending Serie A champions Napoli were feeling good about themselves after a 6-1 victory over Sassuolo, but they were prepared for a far more challenging encounter against the pragmatic Juventus.
Dusan Vlahovic headed a high cross from Chiesa narrowly wide in the tenth minute, giving Massimiliano Allegri’s team a good opportunity.
The hosts were slow to get into the game, but they finally had a good chance in the 37th minute when Kvaratskhelia made a brilliant save after a well-planned run by Szczesny.
Keep going! Just before halftime, Kvaratskhelia managed to beat Szczesny with a thundering volley after latching onto Gleison Bremer’s headed clearance.
Napoli were fortunate to go into halftime with a narrow advantage after battling hard to get ahead. Vlahovic had a good chance to score after Hamed Traore lost possession near the area.
At halftime, Allegri still had a lot of work to do because the Serbian international could only whip his fizzing effort over the bar.
The visitors got off to a strong start in the second half, suggesting that Allegri’s wise words had the desired impact.
Vlahovic forced Alex Meret to make a diving save with a powerful strike from a tight angle, and Andrea Cambiaso blasted over from within the Napoli box.
Juventus were rewarded in the 82nd minute for their patience when Chiesa rifled a low strike into the bottom corner, bringing the score level.
Joseph Ngonge was sent off for a tackle on Osimhen in the box, adding a last dramatic twist to an already thrilling match just as Juventus appeared to be gaining momentum.
Raspadori was the first to react and head home the rebound after the Nigerian international had Szczesny save his subsequent penalty.
As a sigh of relief escaped the home crowd, Daniele Rugani wasted a golden opportunity to score an equalizer in stoppage time by blasting a low cross from Kenan Yildiz over the bar.
Francesco Calzona, Napoli’s interim manager, has kept his team winless in their first four games in charge. Next weekend, they’ll face Torino, and Calzona will be hoping to keep the winning streak going.
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