ROME (AFP) - Juventus closed all talk of a challenge to their Italian Serie A dominance after coming through a second-half onslaught at Napoli to win 2-1, in an engrossing match that saw each side have a man sent off and stretch their lead at the top to a huge 16 points.
Massimiliano Allegri's unbeaten leaders have now as good as sealed their eighth straight title after the match on Sunday (March 3) that looked dead at half-time with Juve two goals and a man up. But it sparked back into life when goalscorer Miralem Pjanic was sent off for handling a Napoli pass and picking up a second yellow card just after the break.
"I fell asleep, I should have replaced Pjanic when he had the first card. He was at risk, but I didn't expect him to handle," said Allegri, whose future at Juve is uncertain after what will be five seasons in Turin. "I already said we'll sit down to talk about this season and the next. I am very happy to be at Juventus."
Midfielder Pjanic swept home his free-kick opener in the 28th minute, which came immediately after Napoli were reduced to 10 men. Goalkeeper Alex Meret had sliced down Cristiano Ronaldo when the Portuguese nipped in to intercept a terrible Kevin Malcuit back pass.
Emre Can added the second from a corner 11 minutes later after substitute David Ospina tipped away Pjanic's stinging shot, but the Bosnian's red card gave Napoli a glimmer of hope.
They were back in the game in the 61st minute when Jose Callejon tapped home a pinpoint Lorenzo Insigne cross, and then piled the pressure on a suddenly creaking Juve, with Piotr Zielinski twice forcing fine saves from Polish countryman Wojciech Szczesny.
It looked as though the hosts were set to launch a final assault when they were given a penalty six minutes before the end for a controversial handball decision against Alex Sandro given by the Video Assistant Referee, only for Insigne to crash his spot kick against the post and let the champions off the hook.
Italy remembers Astori
As elsewhere across the Serie A weekend, play at the Stadio San Paolo stopped in the 13th minute to honour the memory of deceased former Italy international Davide Astori, with fans of both sides applauding the ex-Fiorentina captain, who died in his sleep aged just 31 on March 4 last year.
Astori's name was chanted by fans of AC Milan, where he came through as a youth player, during a 1-0 win over Sassuolo on Saturday that took Gennaro Gattuso's side third and a point above Inter Milan, who lost 2-1 at Cagliari amid a public contract dispute with absent star striker Mauro Icardi.
But the most emotional scenes came during Fiorentina's 3-1 defeat at Atalanta, who kept their hopes of Champions League football alive thanks to goals from Josip Ilicic, Alejandro Gomez and Robin Gosens.
Atalanta playmaker Ilicic, who played alongside Astori at Fiorentina, broke down in tears when played stopped, while away fans held up "Astori" signs and the home fans showed appreciation for a player born and raised in the province of Bergamo, where the hosts are based.
"This situation has taken over a huge part of us this week. Tomorrow we will close to his family as we have been for the last year," said Fiorentina coach Stefano Pioli.
Gian Piero Gasperini's flamboyant Atalanta are six points behind fourth-placed Inter after winning the second spectacular clash with Fiorentina in a matter of days after their thrilling 3-3 Coppa Italia semi-final draw midweek.
They are level on 41 points with Lazio, 3-0 winners over Roma in Saturday's Rome derby, and Torino, who beat rock-bottom Chievo by the same score on Sunday.
Two points further back are Sampdoria, thanks to 36-year-old Fabio Quagliarella joining Ronaldo at the top of the scoring charts with 19 goals following a brace in his side's 2-1 win at struggling Spal.
"I don't feel like anyone special," said modest Quagliarella after the match. "I'm not the star man, I'm part of a team that works towards a single objective, everyone is useful and no one is indispensable."
FC Barcelona were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Olympique Lyonnais in their UEFA Champions League last 16 first leg tie on Tuesday. The result ensured both sides remained unbeaten in this season's competition.
Wasteful Barca held to goalless draw at defiant Olympique
Handsome payouts for Mourinho - three sacks full said he aims to be back in full-time management and has no intention of retiring yet. "I want to coach. I belong to top-level football and
D.J. Swearinger says he was released by Redskins | All My
allmysportsnews.com/nfl/d-j-swearinger-says-he-was-released-by-redskins/
Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden had enough with D.J. Swearinger spouting off. The veteran safety told 106.7 The Fan that he's been cut by the Redskins, via the radio station's Twitter account.
REVEALED: The fortune Mourinho has earned from sacking
Albirex Niigata FC (S) defender Kaishu Yamazaki hopes the defending champions can remain unbeaten the entire season starting with Wednesday's game against Young Lions. The entire Singapore
Football: Albirex Niigata still aim to win trophies despite
Football: Choupo-Moting in goal-line howler as PSG throw away chance to wrap up French title. Apr 8, 2019, 7:38 pm. More racial abuse cases heighten calls for action. Apr 8, 2019, 5:00 am ;
Serie A » News » Ronaldo back in Madrid ready to tackle
Football: Jorginho fires Chelsea as recalled Kepa shines
Jan 22, 2019 · The Portugal and Juventus footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted committing tax fraud while playing for Real Madrid and agreed to pay an €18.8m (£16.5m) fine after striking a deal with
Ronaldo avoids jail but hit by hefty fine for tax fraud in Spain
LONDON (AFP) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was fined £45,000 (S$80,000) by the Football Association on Thursday (Feb 21) for suggesting referee Kevin Friend had favoured West Ham in his side's
Liverpool's Klopp fined over referee comments - sports.yahoo.com
Ambitious Hougang show title promise. While Hougang United have made some eye-catching signings like former Home United strike pair Faris Ramli (right) and Stipe Plazibat, today's Singapore
Football: Ambitious Hougang United show title promise, but
Local embassy - For Wikipedia-related communication in languages other than English. Reference desk - Serving as virtual librarians, Wikipedia volunteers tackle your questions on a wide range of subjects. Site news - Announcements, updates, articles and press releases on Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation.
Young Lions' new-found belief - theworldnews.net
Dec 18, 2018 · The coach had long coveted a chance to work at the club, but he struggled to connect with United's players, notably Paul Pogba. On Tuesday, Mourinho was let go.
Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho criticises club and says Paul
Pele had been admitted to hospital in France last week after suffering a fever following an event in the city with French World Cup-winner Kylian Mbappe. — AFP pic. SAO PAULO, April 14 — Brazilian football great Pele had a successful operation to remove a kidney stone yesterday, doctors in Sao Paulo said.
Pele 'recovering well' after kidney stones surgery | Business
Pedro scores an away goal as Chelsea recover from an early setback to draw with Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.
Frankfurt 1 - 1 Chelsea - Match Report & Highlights
PSG coach Tuchel hits out at Neymar after fan attack Thomas Tuchel on Monday blasted Neymar for hitting a fan who insulted Paris Saint-Germain players as they filed up to collect their French Cup
PSG coach Tuchel hits out at Neymar after fan attack
0 comments:
Post a Comment