Napoli relinquished their three-match winning run in Serie A with an uneventful 0-0 draw against fellow title bidders Juventus. There was nothing to separate the two teams in a game of a few scoring chances at the Allianz Stadium.
Antonio Conte’s men headed into the match in high spirits after winning three consecutive league fixtures following a 3-0 day-one loss at Hellas Verona. However, not even Napoli’s free-scoring frontline had a key to unlock Juventus’ rock-solid backline.
Scoring opportunities were at a premium on both ends of the field, with Scott McTominay missing the visitors’ best chance to break the deadlock in the first half. Napoli failed to score on a second consecutive top-flight visit to Turin.
But unlike last season when they lost 1-0, they kept Juventus at bay this time. Napoli conceded just one shot on target. Unfortunately, they didn’t create any clear-cut chance on the opposite side.
Without further ado, let’s look at our player ratings.
Napoli (4-3-3)
Alex Meret – 6
After a remarkable performance against Cagliari, the Italian goalkeeper only had to make one save this evening.
Mathias Olivera – 6.5
Nowhere to be seen in the front third, the Uruguayan left-back sacrificed his attacking ambitions to focus on fending off Nicolas Gonzalez. It worked wonders.
Alessandro Buongiorno – 7
It’s unsurprising Napoli splashed out a small fortune to take him away from Torino. He neutralized Dusan Vlahovic with a spotless performance in the heart of Conte’s backline.
Amir Rrahmani – 7.5
The Kosovo international’s display against Cagliari flattered to deceive, but he brought his A-game to the table at the Allianz Stadium, forging a wall in front of Meret’s goal.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 7
While his offensive contribution was at a premium, the Napoli captain excelled in defense, winning numerous one-on-one duels against Kenan Yildiz.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa – 6
There’s nothing Conte can complain about his tireless work at the back, but Napoli needed a spark in the midfield, and he failed to answer the call.
Stanislav Lobotka – 6.5
Like Anguissa, the Slovakian star lacked decisiveness and creativity, with most of his passes either going backward or to his closest teammate. No inspiration whatsoever!
Scott McTominay – 7
His superb run down the center, followed up by a devastating shot toward the bottom corner, was the closest Napoli got to find a goal.
Matteo Politano – 7
Had he only kept his shot from the edge of the box down! The diminutive winger was a breath of fresh air on the right flank but often lacked the final touch.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – 5.5
Sometimes, it felt like he went out for a shooting practice. Juventus blocked most of his attempts, while his decisions were frequently wrong, resulting in a disastrous performance from the Georgian talisman.
Romelu Lukaku – 5
Inadequate service into the box made the ex-Roma striker a mere observer. Despite trying to get involved by dropping back, Juventus knocked Conte’s pupil off his perch.
Substitutes
Elia Caprile – 6.5
Giovanni Simeone – 5.5
David Neres – 6
Michael Folorunsho – 5.5
Billy Gilmour – N/A