Juventus Season 2015-2016

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Rested Napoli face doubtful Juve

http://www.football-italia.net/73494/rested-napoli-face-doubtful-juve?

 
Sep 26, 2015
 
Max Allegri is still looking for a tactical identity for Juventus and should field Paulo Dybala, while Maurizio Sarri kept Napoli at rest.

It kicks off this evening at 20:45 CET.

The Bianconeri’s ongoing trouble in this first part of the season makes their formation more difficult to predict, especially against a tough opponent like the Partenopei.

Sources within Italian media are divided, with La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport expecting a 3-5-2 and Tuttosport thinking of a 4-3-3.

It seems likely that Dybala will be given a chance, while Stephan Lichtsteiner can’t make it due to breathing trouble.

Sarri kept his team at rest after the mid-week matches, with only light training, and can be expected to field his usual 4-3-3.

José Callejon seems the favourite to start in the Neapolitan attacking trident alongside Higuain and Insigne.


Juventus probable XI: Buffon; Padoin, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Lemina, Hernanes, Pogba; Dybala, Morata, Pereyra.

Napoli probable XI: Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Jorginho, Hamsik; Callejon, Higuain, Insigne.

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Lemina 'rejected Napoli for Juve'

http://www.football-italia.net/73497/lemina-rejected-napoli-juve?

 
Sep 26, 2015
 
Mario Lemina “turned down more money from Napoli and England so he could join Juventus,” said his agent.

The two clubs go head-to-head at the Stadio San Paolo tonight.

It kicks off at 20.45 CET.

“Udinese and Sevilla made the first moves, but in June Olympique Marseille had no intention of selling the player,” agent Yvan Le Mee told Tuttosport.

“In August Juventus stepped up and then Napoli. It’s the first time I have seen a player turn down more money.

“Lemina would’ve earned almost €1m more per season if he had gone to England. Napoli also made a more advantageous offer to Marseille and higher wages for the player.

“However, Mario wanted at all costs to join Juventus and I wanted to keep the word I’d given to Beppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici.

“It was not easy to convince the Marseille President, but in the end he too realised Mario only had the Bianconeri in mind.

“His objective is to become the Claude Makelele of Juve.”

As well as Napoli, Lemina had been linked with Premier League sides Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton.

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Napoli squad for Juve

http://www.football-italia.net/73498/napoli-squad-juve?

 
Sep 26, 2015
 
Napoli have a full squad at their disposal for tonight’s Serie A showdown with Juventus.

It kicks off at 20.45 CET.

Maurizio Sarri has called up his entire squad for this game.

The only exceptions, as always, are outcasts Jonathan de Guzman and Juan Camilo Zuniga.


Napoli squad for Juventus:

Reina, Gabriel, Rafael; Maggio, Hysaj, Ghoulam, Strinic, Henrique, Koulibaly, Albiol, Chiriches; Valdifiori, Jorginho, Allan, David Lopez, Hamsik, El Kaddouri, Chalobah; Mertens, Callejon, Insigne, Gabbiadini, Higuain

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Know your enemy: A Q&A session with SB
Nation's Napoli blog, The Siren's Song

Juventus play Napoli on Saturday night in Southern Italy. And what better way to find out more about
Juve's opposition than ask somebody who watches them regularly all about Napoli. So that's what we did.

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/9/26/9396671/rival-question-and-answer-juventus-napoli-serie-a-round-6

 
Sep 26, 2015
 
With Juventus and Napoli both struggling to start out the 2015-16 season, the usually intense rivalry between opposite ends of Italy has taken on any more intrigue than usual. They are 12th and 13th in the Serie A table, respectively — something you probably didn't expect through five rounds knowing what these two clubs are capable of.

So what's wrong with Napoli?

That's where we've gone to get some help. Seeing as my boss here at SB Nation, Mr. Conor Dowley, just so happens to root for Napoli and write about them at The Siren's Song, there was only one thing I could do — that would be ask him the same kind of question (and a couple other ones) that I posed above. And since he's a nice guy, he decided to cooperate even though his favorite team is frustrating him just as much as our favorite team is frustrating us these days.

So, in short, I asked Conor questions. He answered said questions. Away we go.


BWRAO: The sample size is obviously small, but how would you sum up the beginning of the Sarri Era to date now that we're actually seeing games happen?

TSS: It's been a mixed bag. When things have worked, it's been fantastic -- just look at Napoli's matches against Lazio and Club Brugge to see just how well it can go. When it doesn't work, though, it's pretty miserable. See the rest of Napoli's matches for that one.

It's a big transition to go from Rafa Benitez to Maurizio Sarri, both in terms of tactics employed and methods and just the managers themselves. It was never going to be perfectly smooth and there were always going to be some pretty big bumps in the road. But this has been pretty rough, much more so than even most of Sarri's harshest critics and doubters in the fanbase would have imagined.


BWRAO: Take the manager out of the equation for a second. Do you think Napoli is a better team than last season?

TSS: If we're really just looking at the players involved? Given that Napoli only cut deadweight and added a bunch of decent-to-quite-good players, yeah. They are. Allan is a huge upgrade over Walter Gargano, ditto Vlad Chiriches over Miguel Britos and Elseid Hysaj over Giandomenico Mesto. In terms of starting XI vs. starting XI, though, the changes are more minimal. Without Champions League money to really let them go nuts on the transfer market, Napoli were relying on Sarri to make the team significantly better -- and that seems to be far from certain so far.


BWRAO: Marek Hamsik is quoted recently as saying "Napoli must improve." What, exactly, does Napoli need to do different than in its first five Serie A games?

TSS: Other than "not suck?" They've struggled mightily for consistency in both attack and defense so far this season. The defense has been showing steady improvement as players get used to their roles in Sarri's system -- some personnel adjustments have helped too, most notably benching Christian Maggio -- but the attack is still pretty volatile. Deny them space, and they're helpless. Leave things more open, and they'll hurt you. Scoring five goals against Lazio and Brugge is cool and all, but figuring out how to better break down the Carpis and Sassuolos of the world would be nice too.


BWRAO: Be honest, do you miss Rafa? (Elaborate at your own will, bossman)

TSS: No.

Wait, you really want me to elaborate? OK: Hell no.

To be honest, so far the results aren't wildly different than we were used to under Rafa. The only difference is that Sarri admits that Napoli have problems to fix other than blind luck and the referees screwing him. That's not much of a difference in the grand scheme of things, perhaps, but it sure is a whole lot less frustrating.

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Rampulla: Juventus Have A Problem With Injuries

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/09/rampulla-juventus-have-a-problem-with-injuries/?

 
Sep 26, 2015
 
Former Juventus goalkeeper Michelangelo Rampulla has suggested the Bianconeri have a problem with their fitness.

The Old Lady have suffered injuries to key players Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira which has blighted the team’s performance.

“Allegri is right to ask for time and talk about injuries,” said Rampulla to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.

“Just consider that they are missing Marchisio and Khedira, who would change the character of the midfield.”

Rampulla then praised Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

“For Buffon I have no more words, I see more and more a brilliant player and he is a wonderful example.

“Even Pepe Reina I really like, I admire goalkeepers that are proactive, participating in helping the whole of their defence.

The former shot-stopper concluded with a prediction for the Bianconceri’s Saturday trip to the Stadio San Paolo.

“I expect a draw.”

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Orsi: Clash Between Napoli And Juventus
Not Decisive In Scudetto Race

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/09/orsi-clash-between-napoli-and-juventus-not-decisive-in-scudetto-race/?

 
Sep 26, 2015
 
Former Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Orsi believes that Saturday’s clash between Napoli and Juventus will not be decisive in the fight for the Scudetto.

Both the Partenopei and the Bianconeri have had a poor start to the 2015-16 Serie A campaign, with both only securing one win each thus far ahead of their battle at the San Paolo, and the 56-year-old feels that their main focus at the moment should be earning more points before they start worrying about the title.

Orsi spoke to Radio Radio about the two teams’ need for improvement and commented on the chance for smaller clubs to shine in the Serie A this season.

“Napoli and Juventus have a combined total of 11 points,” said the ex-Livorno boss.

“This suggests that this league is a place where even the smaller teams can find themselves inserted near the top of the standings.

“So, it must be said that Napoli and Juventus currently have the points they deserve and I think the winner of this match is unlikely to focus on aiming for the Scudetto.”

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Line-ups: Napoli-Juventus

http://www.football-italia.net/73519/line-ups-napoli-juventus?

 
Sep 26, 2015
 
Napoli and Juventus never have a relaxed fixture anyway, but the pressure is on for tonight’s showdown.

It kicks off at 20.45 CET.

These two giants were expected to tussle for the Scudetto, but have had a disastrous start to the campaign.

The Partenopei are taking time to adjust under new Coach Maurizio Sarri, but seemed to have found their feet with back-to-back 5-0 victories over Club Brugge and Lazio.

However, they surprisingly stalled in a 0-0 at newly-promoted Carpi on Wednesday night.

As for Juventus, they lost to Udinese and Roma, drew with Chievo and Frosinone, beating only 10-man Genoa and Manchester City in the Champions League.

There’s an injury crisis too, as Max Allegri is without Mario Mandzukic, Claudio Marchisio, Sami Khedira, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Kwadwo Asamoah.

Alvaro Morata returns, but is only on the bench, as Hernanes, Simone Zaza and Paulo Dybala appear to form the trident attack.

Roberto Pereyra, Paul Pogba and former Napoli transfer target Mario Lemina in midfield, then Simone Padoin a surprise pick at right-back.

Napoli have a full squad at their disposal, save for outcasts Jonathan de Guzman and Juan Camilo Zuniga.

Gonzalo Higuain is flanked by Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Callejon in a 4-3-3 system, while Marek Hamsik takes the deeper role.

Jorginho pushes unsettled Mirko Valdifiori on to the bench.

Juventus won 3-1 last season, both home and away, but lost the Italian Super Cup on penalties after a 2-2 thriller in Dubai.


Napoli: Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Jorginho, Hamsik; Callejon, Higuain, Insigne

Juventus: Buffon; Padoin, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Pereyra, Lemina, Pogba; Hernanes; Zaza, Dybala

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Hernanes: 'Juve keep winning habit'

http://www.football-italia.net/73521/hernanes-juve-keep-winning-habit?

 
Sep 26, 2015
 
Hernanes said the new Juventus “must prove we haven’t lost the habit of winning” as they visit Napoli.

The ex-Inter Brazilian had been playing as a deep-lying playmaker lately, but returns to trequartista in a 4-3-1-2 formation.

“The important thing is being on the pitch!” Hernanes told Sky Sport Italia.

“Many new young players have arrived, it’s a new Juve, but we must prove that we have the same victorious approach and haven’t lost the habit of winning.”

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Reina: 'What Napoli-Juve means'

http://www.football-italia.net/73522/reina-what-napoli-juve-means?

 
Sep 26, 2015
 
Pepe Reina said Napoli players “know how much the fans care about this match” against Juventus.

“We know how much the fans care about this match and what they are waiting for tonight,” the goalkeeper told Sky Sport Italia.

“There are three points to pick up, but for the supporters it is always very important to beat Juventus regardless of the table.”

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Marotta: 'Juve faith in Allegri'

http://www.football-italia.net/73523/marotta-juve-faith-allegri?

 
Sep 26, 2015
 
Juventus director Beppe Marotta assured “we have great faith in the Coach and the squad we’ve put together.”

“I think that the real values of a team emerge over time and the Scudetto will be won by the best side, but it’s premature to discuss that now,” Marotta told Mediaset Premium.

“The difficult start is certainly affecting us and we have to work on motivation even more than tactical issues. We want to leave alibis aside, but certainly the calendar is packed and with so many injuries we’re never able to field the same XI.

“The Coach is put in a difficult position and cannot choose his favoured line-up.”

Tonight there is a huge test at the Stadio San Paolo.

“Whether it’s Napoli, Carpi or Empoli, there’s no difference,” insisted Marotta. “We need a good performance, but above all we need to pick up points.

“We must stay calm, as we have great faith in the Coach and the squad we’ve put together. There are so many points still up for grabs. I’ve been in football a long time and know a comeback is possible.

“The difference this season is we have 10 new players in a 24-man squad. It takes time to gel, to let them understand the tactical requirements.

“We also lost character with champions like Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo. We replaced them with suitable players, but certainly in that sense we’re missing something.

“The strength of every squad is to be versatile, so players can adapt to any system. This year the Coach has many options at his disposal.”

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

HT 1-0: Insigne shocks Juve

http://www.football-italia.net/73526/ht-insigne-shocks-juve

 
Sep 26, 2015
 
Lorenzo Insigne gave Napoli the half-time lead over Juventus, but then limped off with a knee injury.

This was a must-win game for both sides, who stuttered so far this season and were sliding down the standings. The Bianconeri missed Stephan Lichtsteiner, Claudio Marchisio, Mario Mandzukic and Sami Khedira, while Alvaro Morata and Juan Cuadrado were rested.

In the opening minute Hernanes performed a crucial tackle on Lorenzo Insigne in the box, while Simone Zaza was flagged offside when lobbing Pepe Reina.

Reina got down quickly to save Zaza’s angled drive one-handed after a smart Paulo Dybala through ball. Faouzi Ghoulam had penalty appeals, but the low cross struck Leonardo Bonucci’s foot first and ricocheted on to his hand, so could not be considered voluntary.

Napoli broke through with a well-worked goal, as Insigne played a neat one-two with Gonzalo Higuain before passing it into the near bottom corner from the edge of the box. It was the perfect way to mark his 100th Serie A appearance.

Giorgio Chiellini crucially intercepted a Jose Callejon knock-back for Higuain on Insigne’s inspired pass, but goalscorer Insigne pulled up with a knee problem and had to be substituted with Dries Mertens.

On the stroke of half-time, Buffon beat away a Ghoulam cross and Jose Callejon ballooned the follow-up off target.

It was end-to-end stuff, as first Reina desperately blocked Zaza after a defensive error, then on the counter Mertens drilled across the face of goal when he should’ve passed to Allan.


Napoli 1-0 Juventus (Half-Time)

Scorers: Insigne 26 (N)

Napoli: Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Jorginho, Hamsik; Callejon, Higuain, Insigne (Mertens 40)

Juventus: Buffon; Padoin, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Pereyra, Lemina, Pogba; Hernanes; Zaza, Dybala

Ref: Orsato

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

2 - 1

Lorenzo Insigne (26')
Gonzalo Higuaín (62')

Mario Lemina (63')

MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Napoli 2-1 Juventus: Champions beaten
again as Insigne and Higuain combine

The champions fell to their third defeat of the season in Serie A after goals
either side of half time helped the Naples side move into the top half of the table.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/napoli-vs-juventus/2120432/report

 
Sep 26, 2015
 
Juventus’ dreadful start to their Serie A title defence continued as Gonzalo Higuain inspired Napoli to a 2-1 victory at the Stadio San Paolo on Saturday.

After providing the assist for Lorenzo Insigne's first-half opener, Higuain – who was left out of Gerardo Martino's latest Argentina squad – scored the second for Maurizio Sarri's men shortly after the hour mark.

Insigne fired Napoli ahead with his third Serie A goal of the season 26 minutes in, following a frantic start to proceedings that saw Pepe Reina make an excellent save to deny Simone Zaza.

Giorgio Chiellini should have headed Juve level just after the restart and the Serie A champions were made to pay for sloppy play from Hernanes when Higuain stole in to net his fifth league goal of 2015-16.

Mario Lemina opened his Juve account, but Massimiliano Allegri's side were unable to find an equaliser, with substitute Alvaro Morata going closest.

The defeat is Juve's third in their opening six games and they could be 13 points adrift of league leaders Inter should Roberto Mancini's side beat Fiorentina on Sunday.

Allegri demanded a response from Juve following their 1-1 draw with Serie A debutants Frosinone in midweek, but it was Napoli who started the stronger – with Higuain blazing over before Marek Hamsik forced Gianluigi Buffon into action.

Napoli, who failed to score in a league game for the first time in 14 Serie A fixtures when they drew 0-0 with Carpi last time out, continued to press, but it was Juve who went close next, Reina doing well to get down low to his right and parry away Zaza's strike.

But the hosts maintained their control, and took a deserved lead when Insigne linked up with Higuain before drilling a low finish beyond Buffon from the edge of the area.

However, the diminutive winger's night was cut short prior to the interval, an apparent knee injury forcing Sarri to introduce Dries Mertens in his place.

And the Belgium winger almost had an immediate impact when he burst in behind Juve's defence, but he elected to shoot rather than play in the unmarked Jose Callejon, and his effort sailed wide.

Reina would have been helpless to prevent Chiellini equalising after the interval had the Italy defender managed to direct his header on target from Paulo Dybala's free-kick.

After seeing an effort well saved by Buffon, Higuain had the goal his performance deserved in the 62nd minute, firing home from an acute angle after dispossessing Hernanes.

But Juve responded immediately, Lemina, on loan from Marseille, tucking home after latching onto Dybala's cross at the back post.

Morata replaced Dybala with 20 minutes remaining and the Spain striker was just inches away from restoring parity with a venomous effort from 18-yards out, but Juve slipped to another crushing setback.

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

. 2 - 1

Lorenzo Insigne (26')
Gonzalo Higuaín (62')

Mario Lemina (63')

MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Napoli send Juve spiralling

Gonzalo Higuain scored one and set up another as
Napoli beat Juventus 2-1, but Lorenzo Insigne was injured.

http://www.football-italia.net/SerieA/match/69876

 
Sep 26, 2015
 
This was a must-win game for both sides, who stuttered so far this season and were sliding down the standings. The Bianconeri missed Stephan Lichtsteiner, Claudio Marchisio, Mario Mandzukic and Sami Khedira, while Alvaro Morata and Juan Cuadrado were rested.

In the opening minute Hernanes performed a crucial tackle on Lorenzo Insigne in the box, while Simone Zaza was flagged offside when lobbing Pepe Reina.

Reina got down quickly to save Zaza’s angled drive one-handed after a smart Paulo Dybala through ball. Faouzi Ghoulam had penalty appeals, but the low cross struck Leonardo Bonucci’s foot first and ricocheted on to his hand, so could not be considered voluntary.

Napoli broke through with a well-worked goal, as Insigne played a neat one-two with Gonzalo Higuain before passing it into the near bottom corner from the edge of the box. It was the perfect way to mark his 100th Serie A appearance.

Giorgio Chiellini crucially intercepted a Jose Callejon knock-back for Higuain on Insigne’s inspired pass, but goalscorer Insigne pulled up with a knee problem and had to be substituted with Dries Mertens.

On the stroke of half-time, Buffon beat away a Ghoulam cross and Jose Callejon ballooned the follow-up off target.

It was end-to-end stuff, as first Reina desperately blocked Zaza after a defensive error, then on the counter Mertens drilled across the face of goal when he should’ve passed to Allan.

A deflected Mertens effort looped on to the roof of the net and Buffon punched away a Higuain snapshot.

Napoli doubled their lead when Higuain intercepted a poor Hernanes midfield pass and burst forward, his angled drive too powerful for Buffon to keep out as it squirmed under his arm.

However, the Partenopei were perhaps still celebrating when Juve grabbed one back at the other end, a cross finding Mario Lemina relatively unmarked at the back post. It was the Frenchman’s first goal and he scored it against one of the clubs that tried to sign him from Olympique Marseille this summer.

Alvaro Morata came on and immediately curled just wide of the far post, while Pogba nodded Simone Padoin’s cross off target.


Napoli: Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Jorginho, Hamsik (David Lopez 80); Callejon, Higuain (Gabbiadini 85), Insigne (Mertens 40)

Juventus: Buffon; Padoin (Alex Sandro 88), Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Pereyra, Lemina, Pogba; Hernanes (Cuadrado 64); Zaza, Dybala (Morata 70)

Ref: Orsato

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

. 2 - 1

Lorenzo Insigne (26')
Gonzalo Higuaín (62')

Mario Lemina (63')

MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Higuain: 'Napoli-Juve like a derby'

http://www.football-italia.net/73529/higuain-napoli-juve-derby?

 
Sep 26, 2015
 
Gonzalo Higuain said Napoli beating Juventus was “like a derby for this city.”

Pipita scored one – his fifth of the season – and set up another for Lorenzo Insigne in the 2-1 victory.

“I said beforehand that this was a very important game, we know it’s like a derby for this city. We played a great game and won, which is what we’re looking for at the moment,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“The important thing was to win. If I score, it’s even better, so I am happy.

“There’s a long way to go. This was an important game, but we must continue along this path and get some rest for Thursday.”

Considering his current form, will Argentina boss Tata Martino regret not calling Higuain for international duty?

“I don’t know. I am focused only on Napoli and on making the most of this moment.”

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

. 2 - 1

Lorenzo Insigne (26')
Gonzalo Higuaín (62')

Mario Lemina (63')

MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

RATINGS: Napoli 2-1 Juventus

http://www.goal.com/en/match/napoli-vs-juventus/2120432/ratings

 
Sep 26, 2015
 

Napoli

25 Pepe Reina - Kept out a shot from Zaza in the 13th minute and dealt with the majority of shots that came his way.

2 E. Hysaj - Played a few dangerous cross-field balls but, on the whole, had a decent outing.

33 Albiol - Frequently stepped out from the back to win the ball, frustrating the Juve forwards.

26 K. Koulibaly - Proved extremely strong in the challenge and frustrated Zaza for much of the match.

31 F. Ghoulam - The Algerian motored up and down the left and creating chances and testing Buffon himself, too.

5 Allan - Picked apart the play and showed good strength, also racing forward on powerful runs.

8 Jorginho - Closed the opposition quickly and made some important interventions in the final third.

17 M. Hamšík - The Slovakian worked hard in the middle and always looked to feed the forwards.

7 José Callejón - Tracked back to help his team out defensively but was not heavily involved at the other end.

9 G. Higuaín - Looked hungry for the ball all evening, providing the assist for Insigne's goal before netting one of his own.

24 L. Insigne - Opened the scoring with a nice finish from the top of the box but was withdrawn in the first half through injury.


Substitutes

14 D. Mertens - Came on for Insigne in the 40th minute and proved very lively.

19 David López - Replaced Hamsik in the 80th minute.

23 M. Gabbiadini - Brought on for Higuain in the 85th minute.



 

Juventus

1 G. Buffon - Could not keep out Insigne's effort but made some good stops from Higuain and Ghoulam.

20 S. Padoin - Was exposed by Insigne and Mertens throughout and offered nothing offensively.

19 L. Bonucci - Dealt well with being exposed on the break but launched a few too many aimless long passes.

3 G. Chiellini - Read the game well and made a number of bruising challenges on the opposition.

33 P. Evra - The Frenchman contributed little of note going forward, but kept a close watch on Callejon.

18 M. Lemina - Operated on the right side of midfield and showed good technique, scoring his side's only goal.

11 Hernanes - Played in a deeper midfield role and made numerous errors, one of which directly led to Higuain's goal.

10 P. Pogba - Vocalised his frustration on a number of occasions but was more focused in the second half and provided creativity.

37 R. Pereyra - The Argentine failed to create anything of note, offering just a few powerful runs forward.

7 S. Zaza - Pulled a routine save from Reina early on and provided a threat in behind the defence.

21 P. Dybala - Barely got involved in the action in the first half but improved after the interval and assisted Lemina's goal.


Substitutes

16 J. Cuadrado - Came on for Hernanes in the 64th minute and encouraged his team-mates on the break.

9 Álvaro Morata - Replaced Dybala after 71 minutes and came close to scoring soon after.

12 Alex Sandro - Brought on for Padoin in the 89th minute.

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

. 2 - 1

Lorenzo Insigne (26')
Gonzalo Higuaín (62')

Mario Lemina (63')

MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Player Ratings: Napoli 2-1 Juventus

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/09/player-ratings-napoli-2-1-juventus/?

 
Sep 26, 2015

Napoli defeated Juventus 2-1 in a thrilling Serie A encounter at the Stadio San Paolo on Saturday evening.

Lorenzo Insigne’s superb first-half strike put the Azzurri in front before Gonzalo Higuain doubled the lead on the hour mark. Mario Lemina pulled a goal back but it wasn’t enough for the Bianconeri to avoid their third loss of the season, while the Partenopei climb into the top half of the table ahead of Sunday’s fixtures.

 

Napoli

Pepe Reina – 6 – Alert - Got down well to save Zaza’s early effort and denied the striker again in first-half stoppage time. Will be disappointed not to keep a clean-sheet.

Elseid Hysaj – 6 – Vulnerable - Looked a little uncertain at times in defence but supported the Napoli attack well on the right flank.

Raul Albiol – 6 – Busy - Mostly solid but had Kalidou Koulibaly to thank for covering when he was caught out of position.

Kalidou Koulibaly – 6.5 – Commanding - A strong presence at the back for the Azzurri and stepped in to tidy up when Juventus threatened to breach the defensive line. However his mistake almost allowed Zaza to equalise at the end of the first-half.

Faouzi Ghoulam – 6 – Energetic - Kept things tight at left-back and pushed forwards on the counter-attack. Tested Gianluigi Buffon with a decent long range effort.

Allan – 6.5 – Controller - Committed in challenges and displayed varied passing to good effect. Supported the defence and attack with equal vigour.

Jorginho – 6 – Strong - Made some excellent tackles and interceptions but was beaten by Roberto Pereyra on a few occasions.

Marek Hamsik – 6.5 – Exemplary - Pressed the Juventus midfielders and won possession in good positions while picking out his forwards with probing passes.

Jose Callejon – 6 – Fleeting - Missed a decent opportunity late in the first half and drifted in and out of the game.

Gonzalo Higuain – 7 – Effervescent - Blazed the first chance of the match over the bar but set up Insigne’s opener with a clever lay-off. Scored Napoli’s second with a brilliant solo effort after pouncing on a loose pass.

Lorenzo Insigne – 7 – Decisive - Opened the scorer with a perfectly placed strike from the edge of the box and always looked dangerous with the ball at his feet. Sadly left the field five minutes before half-time with an injury.


SUBSTITUTES

Dries Mertens (40 mins) – 5 – Wasteful - Fired wide on the counter-attack when passing to Callejon was the better option. Attacked with pace but final ball and decision making was often poor.

David Lopez (80 mins) – N/A

Manolo Gabbiadini – (84 mins) – N/A


 

Juventus

Gianluigi Buffon – 5.5 – Overpowered - Didn’t have too much to much to do and had no chance with the first goal. Got his hands to Higuain’s second-half strike but couldn’t contain the power of the shot.

Simone Padoin – 6 – Solid - A solid but unremarkable performance. Made a few important interventions.

Leonardo Bonucci – 6 – Steady - Kept busy by Higuain and Insigne, and held his own for the most part.

Giorgio Chiellini – 6.5 – Everywhere - Juve’s best defender. Covered well across the whole defensive line, showed good positioning and anticipation and dominated in the air.

Patrice Evra – 5 – Disappointing - Did well to track Callejon but offered little in attack on the left wing until the second half.

Mario Lemina – 6.5 – Persistent - Failed to add punch or creativity in the first half but slid into to pull a goal back to give his side a life-line. Won the ball frequently following his goal as he looked to inspire his team in search of the equaliser.

Anderson Hernanes – 5 – Sloppy - Showed the physical side of his game with some hefty tackles but played several loose passes, one of which led to Higuain’s goal.

Paul Pogba – 5 – Uninspired - Struggled to make an impact despite getting into some promising positions. Busy in midfield but lost most of his battles.

Roberto Pereyra – 6 – Faded - Made several surging runs from midfield to keep Allan and Jorginho on high alert but ran out of ideas as the match progressed.

Simone Zaza – 5.5 – Industrious - Looked to make runs off the shoulder of the last defender. Caught offside on numerous occasions but worked tirelessly.

Paulo Dybala – 5.5 – Quiet - A quiet game for the young starlet until his cross set up Lemina’s goal in the second half.


SUBSTITUTES

Juan Cuadrado (64 mins) – 6 – Lively - Added much needed pace and one-touch passing and perhaps should have been introduced earlier.

Alvaro Morata (70 mins) – 5.5 – Feisty - Almost made an immediate impact but his shot fizzed wide of the post.

Alex Sandro (89 mins) – N/A

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

. 2 - 1

Lorenzo Insigne (26')
Gonzalo Higuaín (62')

Mario Lemina (63')

MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Gonzalo Higuain and Napoli win
to heap misery on Juventus

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/match/432214/napoli-juventus/report?

 
Sep 26, 2015

Napoli ensured Juventus' miserable start to the Serie A season continued as they held on for a 2-1 victory at San Paolo Stadium.

Max Allegri's men, who now have just five points from six matches, could find themselves 13 adrift of Inter Milan should the current leaders beat Fiorentina on Sunday night.

Napoli, who followed a 5-0 win against Lazio with a disappointing goalless draw with Carpi in midweek, deserved their victory, with goals from Lorenzo Insigne and Gonzalo Higuain securing the points.

Mario Lemina scored his first goal for the Bianconeri to offer hope but they rarely threatened an equaliser.

Marek Hamsik had the first shot of the game but his ambitious effort sailed over the crossbar.

At the other end, Juventus forward Simone Zaza was flagged offside as he chipped the ball over goalkeeper Pepe Reina and into the net.

A first-time shot from Higuain was too high, while Reina was called into action for the first time after 14 minutes as he beat away a powerful drive from Zaza after good work from Paulo Dybala.

Insigne should have done better after cutting in from the right and letting fly with an effort that was well wide, but that was just a sighter as he opened the scoring with his third goal in six Serie A matches in the 26th minute.

The Italian striker played a neat one-two with Higuain and stroked the ball past Gianluigi Buffon and into the bottom corner.

Insigne's evening took a turn for the worse in the 39th minute when he hobbled off with what looked to be a knee knock and was replaced by Dries Mertens.

Jose Callejon should have made it 2-0 after Buffon parried a Faouzi Ghoulam cross into his path but the Spaniard screwed his shot wide.

And Mertens selfishly curled a shot past the post with team-mates well-placed in the box as Napoli finished the half strongly.

Juventus, who were looking to bounce back from a midweek draw with Frosinone, started the second half on top as Paul Pogba drilled a free-kick from a dangerous position into the defensive wall.

Higuain stung the palms of Buffon with a fierce drive on the hour as Napoli hit back, and shortly afterwards the Argentinian did make it 2-0.

Sloppy play from Juventus allowed the striker to break clear and although Buffon got a strong arm on Higuain's low shot, he could not keep it out.

The Bianconeri pulled a goal back straight from kick-off as Dybala's cross found its way to Lemina at the back post and he squeezed the ball past Reina.

Alvaro Morata entered the action in the 71st minute and he was inches away from an equaliser two minutes later as his low drive looked to be heading for the bottom corner.

Hamsik was withdrawn for the defensive-minded David Lopez as Napoli looked to hold on to their lead and they did so comfortably to increase Allegri's woes.

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

. 2 - 1

Lorenzo Insigne (26')
Gonzalo Higuaín (62')

Mario Lemina (63')

MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Allegri: 'Juve did what we had to'

http://www.football-italia.net/73530/allegri-juve-did-what-we-had?

 
Sep 26, 2015

Max Allegri insists Juventus “did what we had to do” and lost to Napoli only because of misplaced passes.

Compared to this stage last season, Juve have 13 fewer points, seven fewer goals and conceded five more.

Last term they lost three games in total, but have now been defeated three times in the opening six rounds.

“If I’m not wrong, I think Napoli were very good on the counter-attack. We lost the ball repeatedly and the second goal came from a misplaced pass," Allegri told Sky Sport Italia after the 2-1 defeat.

“The lads did what they had to do, created several good chances and we failed to convert them. We are in a difficult moment, nobody can deny that, but it’s a long tournament and we have a break for international duty coming up soon.

“Football is ruthless. You can have 30 shots on goal and concede two on the counter. We are working to get more players back to full fitness, which will give me more choices.

“As with other games, I cannot ask for anything more from my players.”

Hernanes was moved into the trequartista role at the Stadio San Paolo after taking the playmaker position before.

“I made this choice because Mario Lemina had more pace on the inside right of midfield and Hernanes could spread the play better. He did some good things, some not so good.

“At this moment these are the players at my disposal and I had to make these choices.”

Napoli seemed far more aggressive and won the ball back in the opposition half 14 times compared to just two for Juventus.

“I think tonight was fairly even in terms of intensity. Our characteristics with Dybala, Pereyra and Zaza are based more on pace than physicality.

“In Europe it’s completely different to Serie A. For one, they are in or out games and that can be an advantage. I know there are statistics like contrasts and balls won in midfield, but my team played well.

“Napoli have a lot of quality and it’s natural if we make mistakes to let them run into space, they will take advantage.”

Juve now have just five points from six games, so a fifth consecutive Scudetto now only a pipe dream?

“I can picture a Juve that will go back to fighting for the top of the table. I don’t know if we can win the Scudetto, but we must certainly try.

“We have the Champions League and the Coppa Italia too. We have to acknowledge there can only be one winner and there are years when things don’t go your way. A corner can change a campaign, it doesn’t wipe out the previous performance.”

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

. 2 - 1

Lorenzo Insigne (26')
Gonzalo Higuaín (62')

Mario Lemina (63')

MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Max Allegri refuses to blame
players after Napoli loss

Manager says players did what they had to do, but did they really?
Has Allegri lost the players confidence too?

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/9/26/9402497/allegri-refuses-to-blame-players-loss-Juventus-Napoli

 
Sep 26, 2015

Minutes after Juventus lost for the third time in their first six games, manager Massimiliano Allegri insisted that the players did what they had to do and wouldn't be quick to point fingers at his side.

Speaking with Sky Sports Italia, Allegri answered a few questions, but it is unlikely his words will calm the savage hordes that are start to line up at the gates of Juventus Stadium with pitchforks and firebrands.


SSI - Last term they lost three games in total, but have now been defeated three times in the opening six rounds.

MA - "If I'm not wrong, I think Napoli were very good on the counter-attack. We lost the ball repeatedly and the second goal came from a misplaced pass.

"The lads did what they had to do, created several good chances and we failed to convert them. We are in a difficult moment, nobody can deny that, but it's a long tournament and we have a break for international duty coming up soon.

"Football is ruthless. You can have 30 shots on goal and concede two on the counter. We are working to get more players back to full fitness, which will give me more choices.

"As with other games, I cannot ask for anything more from my players."


SSI - Hernanes was moved into the trequartista role at the Stadio San Paolo after taking the playmaker position before.

MA - "I made this choice because Mario Lemina had more pace on the inside right of midfield and Hernanes could spread the play better. He did some good things, some not so good.

"At this moment these are the players at my disposal and I had to make these choices."


SSI - Napoli seemed far more aggressive and won the ball back in the opposition half 14 times compared to just two for Juventus.

MA - "I think tonight was fairly even in terms of intensity. Our characteristics with Paulo Dybala, Roberto Pereyra and Zaza are based more on pace than physicality.

"In Europe it's completely different to Serie A. For one, they are in or out games and that can be an advantage. I know there are statistics like contrasts and balls won in midfield, but my team played well.

"Napoli have a lot of quality and it's natural if we make mistakes to let them run into space, they will take advantage."


SSI - Juve now have just five points from six games, so a fifth consecutive Scudetto now only a pipe dream?

MA - "I can picture a Juve that will go back to fighting for the top of the table. I don't know if we can win the Scudetto, but we must certainly try.

"We have the Champions League and the Coppa Italia too. We have to acknowledge there can only be one winner and there are years when things don't go your way. A corner can change a campaign, it doesn't wipe out the previous performance."

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

. 2 - 1

Lorenzo Insigne (26')
Gonzalo Higuaín (62')

Mario Lemina (63')

MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Napoli 2-1 Juventus: Partenopei
Shock Reigning Champions

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/09/napoli-2-1-juventus-partenopei-shock-reigning-champions/?

 
Sep 26, 2015

Napoli defeated Juventus 2-1 at the Stadio San Paolo on Saturday night, giving them their second win of this Serie A season.

An exciting beginning to the game brought a goal midway through the first half when Lorenzo Insigne opened the scoring before Gonzalo Higuain doubled the lead in the second half. Juventus responded immediately, though, through Mario Lemina but they couldn’t equalise and failed to pick up a point.

Simone Zaza had the first good chance of the match but it was a fairly easy test for Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina at his near post.

It was the hosts who broke through first when Gonzalo Higuain set up Lorenzo Insigne who placed the ball into the bottom corner past Gianluigi Buffon, and the Partenopei were up and running after 26 minutes.

They continued to threaten the opposing goal but have Reina to thank for taking the clean sheet into the break with them after the Spaniard managed to tackle Higuain at the last minute so that he wouldn’t have an open goal ahead of him.

An excellent free kick at the start of the second half almost gave the visitors the equaliser but Giorgio Chiellini’s header flew over the bar.

Buffon’s attempts to stop a Higuain effort weren’t good enough as Napoli doubled their lead when the Argentine ran from the halfway line and exploited a Hernanes mistake en route to goal before scoring.

The two-goal cushion lasted less two minutes, though, as youngster Mario Lemina got his first Bianconeri goal when he pounced on a Paulo Dybala cross, but it proved to be just a consolation.

The defeat means Juventus are 13th in the league table, with a potential 13 point difference between them and the top of the table should Inter win on Sunday, while Napoli sit eighth.

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

. 2 - 1

Lorenzo Insigne (26')
Gonzalo Higuaín (62')

Mario Lemina (63')

MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Napoli vs. Juventus: Winners
and Losers from Serie A

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2572426-napoli-vs-juventus-winners-and-losers-from-serie-a?

 
Sep 26, 2015

Clashes between Napoli and Juventus at the Stadio San Paolo tend to be amongst the bigger fixtures of the year in Serie A. Saturday's game was exactly that—but not for the usual reasons.

With both sides struggling, this game was seen as crucial as the teams attempted to gain momentum for a climb up the table.

In the end it was the home side who did so, coming out on top 2-1 and putting Juve deeper into the hole they have dug themselves early on. The four-time defending champions are going to have to take a long look at themselves before Wednesday's Champions League game against Sevilla if they want to get their season back on track.

Who distinguished themselves in Naples? Who had a day to forget? Let's take a quick look at the winners and losers from Saturday's big match.


Winner: Gonzalo Higuain

It was a day to remember for Gonzalo Higuain.

The Argentina international was consistently a menace in the attacking third and provided Napoli's primary threat. According to WhoScored.com, Higuain put two of three shots on target and added two key passes. The result of his efforts—a goal and an assist—proved decisive in the game.

In the 26th minute he sucked several Juve defenders to him, allowing Lorenzo Insigne to burst into space on a quick one-two and score the game's opening goal. After the break, Higuain was alert to a horribly misplaced pass from Hernanes and drove into the box, finishing with a powerful shot that made it into the back of the net despite an authoritative hand from Gianluigi Buffon.

Higuain made a huge statement in this game after being dropped from the Argentina roster for the upcoming international break. While his track record is against him, he showed for the first time in a long time that he could handle the pressure of a big game without cracking.


Loser: Paul Pogba

It's clear that something is wrong with Paul Pogba.

Expected to take on a leadership role after the departure of Andrea Pirlo and his receipt of the No. 10 shirt, Pogba has looked shaky all season long. Saturday was probably his worst performance of the year.

The young Frenchman constantly lost possession, and his usual ability to dance around a challenger deserted him. Even worse was his play in the attacking third, where he was constantly making the wrong play. He passed when he should have shot, he shot when he could have passed, and late in the game he barged around Alvaro Morata to get his head to a cross when his teammate was in a much better and more natural position to take the shot.

It's obvious that in the absence of experienced hands such as Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira, Pogba is putting far too much pressure on himself. It will be interesting to see how his game will change when those two return, which won't be long coming. Massimiliano Allegri expects to have a full squad to choose from after the international break, which will relieve a lot of the pressure on his 22-year-old star.

Until then, though, Pogba will need to start trusting his teammates and settling himself down to avoid more performances like this one.


Winner: Lorenzo Insigne

This could be tamped down a little bit depending on the severity of the injury that forced him off the field, but Lorenzo Insigne looked every bit the player that Napoli was hoping he would be for the first 39 minutes of the game.

He was constantly a menace on the left, and the one-two he played with Higuain to score the opener was a thing of beauty.

It's a huge turnaround for the 24-year-old, who just over a year ago was booed off the field during the first leg of the Champions League playoff against Athletic Bilbao.

Insigne's actions tend to be magnified in the eyes of fans because he's the only native Neapolitan in the squad and in the conversation for the national team. His rocky relationship with Rafael Benitez certainly didn't help matters over the last few years.

But now the young winger is finally in full flight, and fans of the Azzurri should hope that the injury is not serious enough to keep him out of Antonio Conte's team two weeks from now. With the last stage of Euro 2016 qualifying coming up, he is exactly the kind of player Italy needs to breathe life into a flagging attack.


Loser: Hernanes

Hernanes wasn't all that bad a signing considering how last-minute it was.

In order to prove that, though, he's going to have to do better than this.

The Brazilian was clearly uncomfortable in Andrea Pirlo's old regista role. He constantly made mistakes with his distribution and committed a ton of fouls in midfield. Yes, he was signed to play higher up the pitch, but he's adaptable enough that this shouldn't be an issue for him.

It was his unfathomably lazy pass that let Higuain in to score what proved to be the winner. With Khedira and Marchisio approaching returns from injury, Hernanes looks like he's going to have a real fight for playing time, especially if this is what the end product is going to be.


Winner: Roberto Pereyra

Not many Juve players looked good Saturday, but Roberto Pereyra was one of them.

Following a good performance in midweek against Frosinone, Pereyra was again incisive, driving the ball into the attacking third and proving to be the only Juve player on the field capable of taking on a man and winning.

WhoScored.com clocked him with one key pass, six dribbles, one of three crosses completed and 90 percent passing accuracy.

So much talk this summer revolved around buying a trequartista for Allegri's 4-3-1-2 system, but the man for the job may have been on the roster all along. Pereyra is certainly proving himself worthy, and if he continues to play at a high level like this, he should be a lock for the job behind the strikers.


Loser: Massimiliano Allegri

It's time to start asking Allegri some serious questions.

While he certainly has some alibi for the season's tough start due to injuries and the massive team shakeup, he's now had close to three months with this team, including the beginning of training camp, and there is absolutely no chemistry forming anywhere.

He has been missing key pieces, particularly Marchisio, who in the absence of Pirlo is probably more important to this team than anyone gives him credit for.

But in his absence Allegri has constantly shuffled the midfield about, not giving any one combination the time to start getting a feel for one another and develop the kind of relationship that made the vaunted "MVP" midfield of Marchisio, Arturo Vidal and Pirlo—plus Pogba a year later—the most dangerous unit of its kind in Europe.

His in-game decisions have been no better either. His decision to insert Alvaro Morata into the game was a no-brainer, but his choice to replace Paulo Dybala rather than Simone Zaza when the former was having the better game left some people scratching their heads. Even Dybala looked perplexed when his number came up on the board.

Of course, there's no shame in losing at the San Paolo, and full judgment should be reserved for when he has his full roster playing for him. But right now Allegri seems unable to instill the kind of killer attitude—the grinta—that Antonio Conte did four years ago when he was presented with a team that was far worse off than the one Allegri had coming into the season.

Once his team is at full strength, Allegri needs to show he too can inspire that kind of play—or else his tenure will be a lot shorter than people thought at the end of last season.

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

. 2 - 1

Lorenzo Insigne (26')
Gonzalo Higuaín (62')

Mario Lemina (63')

MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Insigne And Higuain Strike As
Napoli Add To Juventus’ Woes

Goals by Lorenzo Insigne and Gonazalo Higuain saw Napoli to a precious 2-1 win over Juventus on Saturday
and compounded the champions’ poor start to the season days before a crucial Champions League fixture with Sevilla.

http://www.thehardtackle.com/2015/insigne-and-higuain-strike-as-napoli-add-to-juventus-woes/?

 
Sep 26, 2015

Juventus had earned their only points from a win and two draws in their five opening games before travelling to a Napoli side that had hit 10 goals in their past three outings, including a 5-0 Europa League win over Club Brugge.

After conceding their third defeat of the season, Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri admitted fighting for the title this season has just become more difficult.

“I don’t know about our chances of winning the title now, but we’ll be fighting all the way for every point,” he told Sky Sport.

“We’re in a difficult moment, but it’s a long tournament and we have a break for international duty coming up soon.”

“We showed a lot of determination and character. Even after Juve’s goal we kept to our gameplan,” he said.

Allegri gambled by leaving Spanish striker Alvaro Morata on the bench and with Mario Mandzukic sidelined through injury it meant starts for Simone Zaza and Paulo Dybala.

Napoli, looking for just their second league win under new coach Maurizio Sarri, deployed their new-look 4-3-3 with Insigne, Higuain and Jose Callejon spearheading an attack that kept the visitors on their toes throughout a pulsating encounter at the San Paolo stadium.

While Zaza showed promise in the early exchanges, the Italy striker was all too often ruled offside after seeing a great chance pushed to safety by Pepe Reina.

Insigne broke the deadlock in style in the 26th minute to send the stadium into raptures.

Juventus pulled one back through Mario Lemina

Pouncing on a Mario Lemina error outside the area, Insigne found Higuain with a pinpoint pass which the Argentinian fired back into the Italian’s path and he beat Gianluigi Buffon with a low shot from outside the area.

Napoli could have doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time after Marek Hamsik found Faouzi Ghoulam with a defence-splitting pass but Buffon did well to parry the Algerian’s drive across goal as Higuain drove in at the back post.

From the highs of reaching last season’s Champions League final, having already sealed a first league and Cup double in 20 years, Juventus have come back to earth with a bump in recent weeks.

Despite an improved second half, the champions struggled, and mistakes proved costly too.

Higuain, who hit a brace in a 5-0 rout of Lazio last week, doubled Napoli’s lead on the hour after Hernanes gave up possession for Juve, the Argentinian pouncing and powering down the left flank to beat Buffon down low.

Juventus refused to buckle and barely a minute later the visitors reduced the arrears when Lemina latched on to Dybala’s cross from the left to squeeze the ball past Pepe Reina from a tight angle.

Morata replaced Dybala with 20 minutes to play and soon after fired just a metre wide of Reina’s far post after collecting Roberto Pereyra’s ball on the edge of the area.

Juve pressed for a late equaliser, but were instead handed a third defeat of the season that leaves them 10 points behind leaders Inter Milan ahead of their home clash with Fiorentina on Sunday.

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

. 2 - 1

Lorenzo Insigne (26')
Gonzalo Higuaín (62')

Mario Lemina (63')

MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

No excuses for Juventus - Evra

The Old Lady lost 2-1 at Napoli on Saturday evening and are already 10 points
behind Serie A leaders Inter following a poor start to the season.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/723/serie-a/2015/09/27/15766702/-?

 
Sep 27, 2015

Juventus defender Patrice Evra says there are no excuses for his team's slow start to the Serie A season after another loss on Saturday.

Max Allegri's squad was overhauled in the summer following the exits of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez, while injuries have also hit in the early part of the campaign, with Claudio Marchisio and new arrival Sami Khedira out for long spells.

The defending champions went down 2-1 at Napoli to leave them with just one win from their opening six league games and 10 points behind leaders Inter.

And Evra was in no mood for excuses when he spoke to reporters at the San Paolo: "We're all responsible."

"Our young players cannot be used as an excuse and it's down to the older heads to help them out.

"It's a difficult moment for us, and it hurts, but we're not panicking and I remain fully optimistic. Now we've got the Champions League and Bologna and we want to win at home."

Goals from Lorenzo Insigne and Gonzalo Higuain sent Napoli to their win, and they held on despite Mario Lemina pulling one back for Juve.

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

. 2 - 1

Lorenzo Insigne (26')
Gonzalo Higuaín (62')

Mario Lemina (63')

MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

Sarri: Napoli Victory Over Juventus
Is Dedicated To The Fans

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/09/sarri-napoli-victory-over-juventus-is-dedicated-to-the-fans/?

 
Sep 27, 2015

Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri has dedicated the victory over Juventus to the club’s fans.

The Partenopei defeated the Bianconeri 2-1 at the Stadio San Paolo on Saturday night, with Gonzalo Higuain and Lorenzo Insigne getting the goals for their second win of this Serie A season.

“This is a game for the fans of Napoli,” Sarri told the press after the match.

“I had made a promise to the public and the team responded well.”

The coach said that, despite the performance against Juventus possibly not being their best, he gave the players a target to reach and they managed to achieve it.

“The team has perhaps played better in other games but we had more personality tonight,” he said.

“We know how important this game is for the fans, I tried to show this to the team and they showed commitment in response.”

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

[Socrates 8523]

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS

. 2 - 1

Lorenzo Insigne (26')
Gonzalo Higuaín (62')

Mario Lemina (63')

MATCHDAY 6
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
San Paolo Stadium - Naples
Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato

NAPOLI 2-1 JUVENTUS
PLAYER RATINGS SERIE A

Juventus slipped to their third defeat of the season with a
thoroughly lacklustre display against Napoli at the San Paolo.

http://www.juvefc.com/napoli-2-1-juventus-player-ratings-serie-a/?

 
Sep 27, 2015

The Bianconeri were coming off a disappointing midweek draw against Frosinone and the stakes were high with both Juve and Napoli in desperate need of points. Both sides started brightly but it was Napoli who took the lead after a well worked move between Higuain and Insigne paid off with the young Italian striker slotting the ball past Gigi Buffon.

Napoli continued to dominate the second-half and a poor pass from Hernanes gifted the ball to Higuain who fired an angled shot past Buffon to double the lead. Juve got one back immediately when Paulo Dybala lofted a cross into the box for Mario Lemina to head home but the game was out of reach.


Gigi Buffon 6.0 - Had very little to do but made some terrific saves when he was called upon. Could do very little about Napoli’s two goals.

Simone Padoin 5.5 - Solid in defence but little more. A better right-back than midfielder by all accounts, but he showed little going forward.

Leonardo Bonucci 6.0 - Was thoroughly outmatched by the duo of Higuain and Insigne. Couldn’t do much about the second goal other than try and track back.

Giorgio Chiellini 6.5 - Juve’s best defender on the night, put himself about, made some great intercceptions and tried to keep Higuain at bay.

Patrice Evra 6.0 - Looked outmatched at times, made some rash tackles and ended up getting booked. Despite that, he did a good job to keep Callejon quiet but offered little by way of an attacking threat.

Mario Lemina 7.5 - Exceptional yet again, kept the side ticking over with simple passes. Tackled and defended well and scored the only Juve goal of the night. Great work yet again.

Hernanes 5.0 - An abject display in midfield – Some strong tackles but very little by way of creativity. His misplaced pass gave Napoli their second goal.

Paul Pogba 5.5 - A player who seems to be struggling under the weight of the shirt number and the responsibility of carrying the midfield on his own. Trys too often to do too much when the simple things might be best.

Roberto Pereyra 6.0 - Started brightly when playing behind the strikers but gradually faded as the game went on.

Paulo Dybala 6.0 - Great workrate but the end product was lacking. Didn’t seem to have much of a rapport with Zaza but still managed to pick out the cross for Juve’s goal.

Simone Zaza 6.0 - Many will disagree, but his workrate was flawless. Tried to bully the Napoli defences and played off the shoulder of the last man. Could and should have created one goal for Juve. Might work better with other players around him.


Substitutes

Juan Cuadrado N/A - Came on in the second half but it was too late for him to make a real impact on the game

Alvaro Morata N/A - Came on for Dybala but failed to create anything of note.

Alex Sandro N/A

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127