Juventus vs Napoli 1-1: Spoils Shared at the Allianz Stadium

The match that “shouldn’t have taken place” ended in a 1-1 tie as Juventus and Napoli shared the spoils at the Allianz Stadium on Thursday. It was perhaps the only possible conclusion for a game whose preparation was tormented by multiple doubts and uncertainties, with both sides – especially the Partenopei – decimated by Covid-induced absences. 

In the end, goals from Dries Mertens and Federico Chiesa awarded one point each as Napoli found the back on the net first and courageously defended their lead, while Juventus slowly gained control of the game and ended in a crescendo – though failing to complete their comeback.

Napoli only had 13 players available and literally had to scrape the barrel of their Primavera team to field an acceptable lineup. On top of those who tested positive for Covid (including coach Luciano Spalletti), the Partenopei were missing Frank Zambo Anguissa, Adam Ounas, and Kalidou Koulibaly, who all joined their national sides to play in the Africa’s Cup. 

Amir Rrhamani, Stanislav Lobotka and Piotr Zielinksi, who were expected to undergo quarantine as per their local health authority’s recommendations, were all regularly fielded by Spalletti’s backup coach Marco Domenichini.

Juventus “only” had Chiellini kept at bay by Covid, but were also missing Leonardo Bonucci due to a muscular injury. Next to Chiesa and Federico Bernardeschi, Max Allegri lineup Alvaro Morata in a three-man attacking line for what could be the Barcelona-bound Spaniard’s last game as a Bianconero.

The Old Lady was off to a good start and created two chances early in the game, first with a Chiesa conclusion that was deflected by Giovanni Di Lorenzo, and then with a Weston McKennie header that missed the target by a few inches.

It was Napoli, however, to take the lead on 23 minutes. The Belgian made the best out of a Matteo Politano assist to score his sixth league goal this season and put the Azzurri in the driving seat.

The Bianconeri felt the hit and struggled to reorganize themselves whereas Napoli seemed happy with defending their precious lead. The game was intense but offered little to the show.

The second half saw Juventus start on a more aggressive note, which eventually resulted in Chiesa’s equalizer. After a Morata shot that crashed above the crossbar, the former Fiorentina man found himself with the ball on his feet on the edge of the box and whipped it towards the Napoli goal, finding Lobotka’s decisive deflection that left no chance to David Ospina.

Juve should have even had their second, but this time Ospina managed to push back Chiesa’s challenge. Then, it was up to Wojciech Szczesny to deny Mertens and keep the score unchanged.

Both coaches resorted to multiple substitutions, with Allegri sending in Paulo Dybala – but the Argentine failed to ignite any spark, expect for a long-rage shot that gave Ospina no particular reason for concern. Moise Kean also made his entrance to the pitch, and so did Andrea Petagna and 21-year-old Alessandro Zanoli among the Napoli lines, but neither side had any fuel left in the tank.

 

MATCH SCORECARD

January 6, 2022 – Serie A 2021-2022 Round 20
JUVENTUS – NAPOLI 1-1

SCORERS: 23′ Mertens (N), 54′ Chiesa (J)