Napoli announced their bid for the Serie A title with Sunday’s 2-1 win at AC Milan which maintained their league lead, while the crisis at Juventus deepened following a humiliating defeat at Monza. Watch the highlights here.
A Matteo Politano penalty 10 minutes after half-time and Giovanni Simeone’s header with 12 minutes remaining gave Napoli a statement win at the San Siro, one managed without injured star striker Victor Osimhen and suspended coach Luciano Spalletti not on the bench.
Napoli sit top of the pile on goal difference from Atalanta, 1-0 winners at Roma, and a point ahead of Udinese, who beat Inter Milan 3-1 in Sunday’s early match to win their fifth match on the bounce.
They are also three points ahead of champions Milan who drop down to fifth after their first defeat of the season.
Simeone’s first Serie A goal for Napoli ended a 22-match unbeaten run for Milan, who levelled in the 69th minute through Olivier Giroud and were unlucky to lose after hitting the woodwork late on through Pierre Kalulu.
However the absence of suspended star man Rafael Leao and some smart saves from Alex Meret, who tipped one early Giroud effort of the bar, cost Milan at least a draw.
Highlights:
– Atalanta keep pace –
Atalanta are level with Napoli after Giorgio Scalvini’s beautifully hit low strike 10 minutes before the break at the Stadio Olimpico earned them the three points.
The 18-year-old’s winner was the only shot on target from Gian Piero Gasperini’s side who have developed a cynical streak this season, conceding only three times in seven matches.
Roma, who lost Paulo Dybala to injury in the pre-match warm up and were wasteful in front of goal, were livid 10 minutes after the break when referee Daniele Chiffi didn’t give the hosts a penalty for Caleb Okoli yanking at Nicolo Zaniolo’s shorts to the point that his underwear was visible.
Highlights:
– Juve in crisis –
Juventus were in trouble before Sunday, and the boos from the stands after their midweek defeat to Benfica were replicated in the away end at the U-Power Stadium after a devastating 1-0 loss.
Monza owner and one-time Milan patron Silvio Berlusconi celebrated after Christian Gytkjaer netted their historic winner 15 minutes from the end and increased pressure on Juve to sack coach Massimiliano Allegri.
Angel Di Maria said the defeat was his fault after being sent off for elbowing Armando Izzo five minutes before the break.
But fans are placing the blame firmly with the man who won them five league titles for their team’s dismal results and performances which have left them eighth and seven points behind the leading duo.
Monza are still in the relegation zone but move above Sampdoria and Cremonese, thumpd 4-0 by Lazio, and are a single point behind 17th-placed Verona following their 2-0 defeat at Fiorentina.
Highlights:
