After a messed-up start to the season, Juve got back on track in the year-end spurt and stalked up to fifth place. But in their first game of 2022 against Napoli, the Old Lady had to settle for a draw in the battle for the Champions League.
During the short winter break in Serie A, Juve and Napoli had to deal with possible departures of two key players. While Torino’s loan player Morata is being courted intensively by FC Barcelona, Napoli’s Insigne is flirting with a move to Toronto FC. Both were on the pitch in the important clash for the Champions League places, although the Spaniard did not appear for almost the entire duration of the game.
However, Juve were the better team at the start, with former Schalke player McKennie almost rewarding their strong opening phase with a header from a corner (5th). But not only the US-American, but also Chiesa and Rabiot (10th) failed to put the first good chances into the goal.
Szczesny gives de Ligt no chance
So Napoli, who played very calmly and cleanly forward in the first half, got rolling better. Insigne’s first attempts from distance flew over the box (12th, 16th), but after 23 minutes Mertens scored to give the southern Italians the lead: Politano laid on for the Belgian on the right in the penalty area, who finished with the second contact and gave Szczesny no chance in the left corner. The Pole’s fingertips were still on the ball, but he prevented de Ligt’s attempt to clear on the line.
Juve wanted to respond quickly, but acted too hastily in many finishing situations and thus did not really pose a threat to Ospina. On the other side, Zielinski (39.) and Mertens (45.) almost increased the lead for Napoli before the break.
Chiesa with luck to equalise
In the second half, Napoli continued to run the ball cleverly, while Juve defended as one and gained confidence. The Bianconeri equalised on 54 minutes when Lobotka’s shot from the edge of the box was deflected into the left-hand corner for Ospina to keep out. It was the Italian’s 50th competitive goal for the Serie A champions.
The goal gave the home side a brief boost in their attacking play, but it died down again relatively quickly. In the final quarter of an hour, Napoli pushed forward again, but their many agile attackers rarely found a solution against the Old Lady’s compact defence.
So it remained at 1:1, which the visitors could live with better than Juve in the end. Atalanta remain in 4th place and have played one game less. Juve now have a tough away game at Roma on Sunday (18.30), while Napoli host Sampdoria Genoa shortly before (16.30).
