Napoli Stun Juve Despite Ronaldo's Late Strike
27 January, 2020
Serie A
Result: Napoli 2-1 Juventus
Date: 26 January 2020
Venue: San Paolo Stadium
Juventus missed the chance to move six points clear at the top of Serie A after a 2-1 loss to Napoli at the San Paolo Stadium on Sunday night.
Maurizio Sarri made five changes from the win over AS Roma as Wojciech Szczesny, Juan Cuadrado, Matthjis De Ligt, Blaise Matuidi and Paulo Dybala returned to the side
Despite Napoli's disappointing recent form, Genarro Gatusso's charges showed no signs of backing down in the early stages as Milik went close with a header in the opening 10 minutes.
Juventus, who have only lost to Napoli once their last eight matches, were finding it tough to carve out chances in the first half as the front trio did not get a sniff at goal.
Unfortunately, that was the trend for the remainder of the first half as neither side were able to fashion any openings in cagey affair which lacked quality in the final third.
After a quiet start to the second half, Napoli finally got the breakthrough just after the hour mark when Szczesny parried Lorenzo Insigne's shot into the path Zelinksi, who slotted home from close range.
Sarri responded with a double change for the final 20 minutes as Douglas Costa and Federico Bernardeschi for Matuidi and surprisingly Dybala.
However, Napoli doubled with four minutes remaining as Insigne, who played a part in the opening goal, found the back of the net with a superb volley past Szczesny.
Ronaldo reduced the deficit on 90 minutes with an instinctive finish to extend his scoring run to eight games in a row, but Napoli were able to hold on for the vital win.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za