Three things learned from Juventus’ 1-0 win over Napoli

Wojciech Szczęsny produced another brilliant save and Federico Gatti was decisive again for Juventus, but what if Napoli had lost three consecutive games in a row with Rudi Garcia in charge? Lorenzo Bettoni brings you three things we learned from Juventus’ win against Napoli.

It was another memorable night for Max Allegri’s Juventus in Turin as the Bianconeri beat a direct rival again returning to the top of the Serie A table. This time, it was Napoli’s turn to fall against Allegri’s ‘Corto Muso’. The defending champions have slipped 12 points below the Old Lady and could find themselves out of the top four for the first time this season if Roma get a result against Fiorentina on Sunday night. But what have we learned from Friday’s meeting between Juve and Napoli in Turin?

• Read more – Player Ratings: Juventus 1-0 Napoli – Gatti did it again, wasteful Kvaratskhelia

Szczesny

It would have been a very different night for Juventus if Szczesny hadn’t produced a brilliant save on Di Lorenzo in the first half. The Poland international was moving towards the near post on his right but was quick enough to stick out his left arm and save Di Lorenzo’s short-range shot. Szczesny had been heavily and deservedly criticised following a 4-2 loss against Sassuolo in September, Juventus’ only Serie A defeat this season. However, he bounced back after the Mapei Stadium clash, keeping seven clean sheets in the following ten matches and producing vital saves in key games against Fiorentina and Milan, both won 1-0 away by the Old Lady. To be fair, he was lucky in the second half against Napoli given that a poor pass would have led to the visitors’ equaliser if Victor Osimhen wasn’t offside. Once again, however, Szczesny proved that he may have bad moments at times, but he remains one of the most reliable keepers in Serie A.

Gatti

Second consecutive goal and second consecutive winner for the Italian defender who has become a regular starter at the Allianz Stadium. Like his teammate Szczesny, Gatti hit rock bottom in Reggio Emilia against Sassuolo in September when he scored one of the most incredible own goals ever. The 25-year-old reacted by finding the net against Torino two weeks later and has now scored in the last two matches, helping Juventus secure vital victories against Monza and Napoli. He can still improve defensively, as Allegri said at a post-match press conference, but Gatti’s development over the last two months has been outstanding and he still has room for improvement. The ex-Frosinone defender, who was playing in Italy’s third division only three years ago, is starting to get recognition at an international level as well, having been called up by Luciano Spalletti for Italy’s games in October and November.

Napoli

Four games under Mazzarri, one win and three consecutive defeats. True, the Partenopei lost to Real Madrid, Inter and Juventus, but what if Garcia had had the same results? What if he had subbed off Khvicha Kvaratskhelia with five minutes remaining when the team needed one goal to equalise in Turin? We already know the answer. Not many liked the French tactician under the Vesuvius, neither the players nor the fans. Mazzarri’s start at the Stadio Maradona has also been far from excellent but the experienced Italian tactician doesn’t yet seem to be under the same pressure as his predecessor. Napoli play good football, although not as good as last season, but are terribly vulnerable in defence and wasteful in attack. Troubles will probably continue in January, when Osimhen will leave for a month to play in the AFCON with his national team, Nigeria. For now, Italian media and Napoli fans still credit Mazzarri, but the pressure will quickly rise in the coming days, especially if the Partenopei are pushed out of the top four before a key Champions League fixture with Braga at the Stadio Maradona, where the Partenopei have lost four of their opening seven league fixtures.