Francesco Calzona outplayed the most accomplished Serie A manager on Sunday night as Napoli squeaked past Juventus 2-1 at home. Goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Giacomo Raspadori inspired Partenopei to their second consecutive win under their new manager following a 6-1 rout of Sassuolo in midweek league action.
Regardless of relatively humble pre-game expectations, tonight’s match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona produced an enthralling contest. Both sides had their chances, but Napoli kept their composure in front of goal to post a much-needed victory and get their European hopes back on track.
Calzona, who replaced Walter Mazzarri at the helm last month, avenged the reigning champions’ 1-0 defeat in October’s reverse fixture. More importantly, the late win moved Napoli to seventh in the Serie A table, keeping them firmly in the race for a coveted European finish.
After the game, Calzona talked to the press, insisting he was happy with the team’s progress but admitting that there’s still ample room for improvement.
“We are on the right track but there is still a lot to do. I’m very happy with the win, I saw a team that wants to improve but we still have a lot to do,” the Napoli manager said, as quoted by Gianluca Di Marzio.
“In ten days, you don’t do miracles, it would take the time we don’t have, I ask the kids to learn speed, which they are doing and which I am very happy about even if I am never happy by nature.“
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