A mere twenty points separates these two teams in the Serie A table as Rafael Benitez's Neapolitan revolution gets underway. It's a far cry from the genuine title challenges under Walter Mazzarri, but life without one of the greatest strikers in the world in Edinson Cavani takes some getting used to, and they might at least salvage some pride by gaining a win here at Juventus. There's little to play for, but it's still Napoli-Juve, South vs. North, and should be an entertaining clash.
Serie A / Matchday 31
Stadio Diego Armando Maradona / 30.03.2014
/dnl.tntsports.co.uk/sd/img/match/football-header-bg-mobile.jpg)
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/4239.png){kind=logo}
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/4067.png){kind=logo}
- J. Callejón(37')
- D. Mertens(81')
Live
Live Updates
/dnl.tntsports.co.uk/sd/img/placeholder/tnt_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 30/03/2014 at 21:47 GMT+1
- All
- Highlights
-
And that's full-time. Juventus' streak comes to an end as Napoli gain a 2-0 win. And they did not even really have to get out of second gear - Juve were dreadful. Even if Roma win their game in hand, however, they'll still be nine points behind. The Bianconeri won't be too worried about giving up that sort of lead, although if they play like they did tonight they certainly could. Napoli, meanwhile, put in a very encouraging performance.
90+4'
Vidal needlessly shoves over Jorginho as frustration sets in for the visitors. He's been a shadow of his usual self today, although the early knock he received may have played a role.
90+2'
Insigne tries his luck from range again, but it's harder than it is accurate and Buffon is not challenged as it whistles over his bar.
90'
Just the six minutes of added time here. Who says Juventus get all the decisions, eh?
89'
Callejon off, Blerim Dzemaili on. Another good performance from the former Real Madrid man.
88'
Well over half the attacks for both sides today have ended courtesy of the offside flag. The linesmen do seem a bit trigger-happy but there's been a touch of sloppiness from both sides in attack.
86'
Isla again gets into a fine position, but his cut-back to Vidal sees the Chilean immediately crowded out. They are getting absolutely no change out of this Napoli defence, Juve.
83'
Juventus have looked more dangerous since Mertens' goal than they have done all game otherwise. Pirlo sends in a couple of dangerous balls but Napoli clear twice until eventually Isla is judged offside.
81'
GOAL! Rafael Benitez brings on Dries Mertens for Hamsik, and he scores with his first touch! Counter-attacking from the Juventus corner, Pandev finds the Belgian and he does well to finish well beyond Buffon's reach after getting past Marchisio and Lichtsteiner. An excellent goal, and Napoli are surely going to claim all three points here.
80'
A brief pause in play for everybody to wander around the pitch raising their arms and looking exasperated as Pirlo is prevented from taking a Juventus corner by a shower of debris from the home fans. Eventually he does take it, and it's straight to Reina.
78'
Big chance for Hamsik to wrap it up from a tight angle, but the Slovakian opts for placement rather than power and Buffon is able to stop it. Could Napoli live to regret that?
77'
But Conte's substitution almost bears fruit! Mirko Vucinic finds a defence-splitting pass for Isla, but Ghoulam gets in to deny him with a superb block.
75'
Even before that change, Juventus were looking iffy, and they simply can't get a clear chance at all against this Napoli side, who have looked more solid than they have all season.
72'
And now the first change of the night for Napoli. Goran Pandev on, Gonzalo Higuain off. It looks like Rafael Benitez is settling for what he has.
70'
Conte's third like-for-like sub of the night. Pablo Osvaldo off, Mirko Vucinic on.
69'
Napoli's turn to attack now, but their move ends with a long-range effort from Inler which is nowhere near to testing Buffon.
66'
Better from Juventus - a classic Pirlo pass finds Isla, who finds Vidal, but it's blocked and out for a corner, which comes to nothing.
64'
Pirlo's effort is poor again - that was nowhere near. Juventus have been lacklustre right across the pitch so far.
63'
A careless ball from Callejon sets Osvaldo free, and Henrique halts the counter-attack at the expense of a yellow card and a dangerous free-kick...
61'
The slightly disappointing Pogba is withdrawn, and Claudio Marchisio comes on to replace him. Some odd, like-for-like substitutions being made by Conte here. Juve need something different.