Serie A Wrap: Juventus Move 3 Points Clear of Napoli with 2-1 Victory
Juventus have bounced back from a recent wobble to reclaim the top spot in Serie A, securing a 2-1 win over AC Milan on Sunday. With this victory, the Bianconeri now sit three points clear of their closest challengers, Napoli, who dropped points in a 1-1 draw against Hellas Verona.
Massimiliano Allegri’s men came from behind to take the three points against the Rossoneri, with headers from Giorgio Chiellini and Cristiano Ronaldo proving the difference. Samuele Ricci’s early goal for Milan had given the visitors an unlikely lead, but Juventus’ top-end quality eventually shone through to secure the win.
The result sees Juventus retake the Serie A summit, with 65 points from 28 matches, three clear of Napoli, who have 62 points. The Bianconeri have now won 20 of their last 24 league matches, a run that has seen them build a healthy lead at the top of the table.
For Juventus, the win was a statement of intent, as they bounced back from a defeat at the hands of Lazio two weeks ago. "We reacted well to the defeat against Lazio and showed our character," said Allegri after the match. "We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but we kept working and were clinical in our finish."
In the match, Juventus struggled to create clear-cut chances, but ultimately got their goals through headers from Chiellini and Ronaldo. The duo have now scored 16 goals between them in Serie A this season, with Chiellini’s pace and power proving a handful for the Milan defense.
Ricci’s early goal for Milan had given the visitors a surprise lead, but Juventus responded well, with Alvaro Morata and Paulo Dybala both going close before the break. The visitors’ defense was eventually breached on 65 minutes, as Chiellini met a cross with a powerful header to level the score. Ronaldo then followed suit, meeting a corner with a thumping header to secure the win.
In the Monday evening kickoff, Napoli’s draw against Hellas Verona saw them drop points for the first time in six matches. The Partenopei had been so efficient in recent weeks, but this draw was a rare blip, one that allowed Juventus to regain the top spot.
The result leaves Napoli with a one-week gap to respond, as they prepare to face Inter Milan in the Derby d’Italia next Saturday. "We knew it would be a tough match, and we didn’t get the win we wanted," said Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso. "But we’ll rebuild and come out stronger for our next match."
At the other end of the table, Lazio and Fiorentina sealed victories that hoist them out of the relegation zone. Lazio’s 2-1 win over Empoli saw them move nine points clear of the drop zone, while Fiorentina’s 2-0 win over Genoa lifted them to 15th, six points above the danger zone.
