Napoli 5, Juventus 1 will live long in the memories of tifosi for years to come. For all the glory of the goals and attacking play contained in highlight packages, the true story of the win can perhaps be seen in the untold stories of the match. These five underrated moments are explored below.
A Kim Cruncher Early Doors
Piotr Zielinski was dispossessed by Manuel Locatelli and Juventus looked to break with Napoli having committed men forward on the left hand side. He released Bianconero danger man and World Cup winner Angel Di María just on the edge of their half. Having destroyed France on that left side for the first hour of the World Cup final, it was easy to fear for the worst as Di Maria dribbled into space. Before the counter attack could develop, Kim Min-jae sprinted forward to the half way line and delivered a perfectly-timed crunching tackle to win the ball. Di Maria crumpled in a theatrical heap and the small selection of Juventus tifosi in the Stadio Maradona protested loudly.
It was a perfect challenge, though – described by Don Hutchinson on BT Sport as “a good tackle, a clean tackle”. The message from the South Korean was clear – you may have won a World Cup but this is my house and here, you play by my rules. Napoli, a little nervous up to that point, were visibly lifted afterwards. The first goal came 8 minutes later.
A Meret Miracolo
Alex Meret has had an up-and-down Napoli career until this season. His penalty shootout heroics won Napoli their most recent silverware but his error laden display against Empoli last year was the catalyst of yet another Scudetto meltdown. This campaign, however, he’s often led from the back with a series of commanding performances and saves at key moments. Friday night was no different – the most pivotal moment in this Napoli Juventus match-up belonged to him.
Having gone 2-0 up and in cruise control, Napoli conceded to the ever dangerous Di Maria. The infamous nerves seemed to be creeping into i Partenopei’s legs. 47 minutes into the first half, Federico Chiesa lit up the left flank and delivered a dangerous ball into the penalty area. Amir Rrahmani, perhaps the least convincing performer in blue in the first half, threw himself unnecessarily at the ball and the deflection darted towards the Napoli goal. Meret flung himself to his right hand side and pulled off a remarkable, instinctive save to deflect the ball away. The first half drew to an end moments later and Napoli went into the spogliatoi 2-1 up rather than level with Juventus. The magical second half could never have happened without the heroics of Napoli’s undisputed No.1.
Kvaratskhelia the confidence breeder
2-1 is a tricky lead to start any second half with. Napoli and Spalletti’s historic issues in the later parts of campaigns, coupled with Juventus’ uncanny ability to stay alive in games even when seemingly buried, meant many Napoli tifosi began watching the second half with bitten nails.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had other ideas.
Five seconds from kick off, Mario Rui passed the ball to the Georgian superstar on the left flank, just ahead of the half way line. They exchanged some passes in a static back and forth, which drew Weston McKennie toward the Portuguese left back and left Kvaratskhelia with only Juventus defender Danilo in his immediate vicinity. Like many times this season, Kvara backed his own ability over not taking a risk and beat the Brazilian with a wonderful combination of close control and explosive pace. The 54,000+ fans in the stadio got to their feet and the nervous sounds which had greeted the second half turned into a buzz that only the most exciting players could inspire.
Kvaratskhelia made his way into the area, twisting and turning before a desperate tackle from Danilo prevented a chance. Any thoughts of Napoli sitting back and preserving the lead were gone seventeen seconds into the second half.
With this team, offense is the best form of defense.
Mario Rui – A commander on the Pitch
Giovanni Di Lorenzo has done an excellent job as captain this season, but it is Mario Rui who has brought the most leadership on the pitch thus far. His cazzimma was missed during the scrappy Inter v Napoli and seeing his name in the starting lineup helped to soothe Napoli fans’ fears that the team might get muscled out of the contest.
Even 3-1 up, the game was unpredictable, with neither teams’ defenses covering themselves in glory. Another Kvaratskhelia dribble brought Napoli forward but Bremer managed to deflect the ball towards the corner flag on Juventus’ right side. The Brazilian collected the ball but Rui’s swift and fierce press intercepted Bremer’s ponderous clearance and the deflection landed at Kvaratskhelia’s feet at the edge of the area. His cross landed perfectly on Victor Osimhen’s head and Napoli went ahead 4-1, putting the result beyond doubt.
The finesse and verve of Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen, which fans will remember for years, was made possible by the engine room steered by Mario Rui.
Fans United Behind the Team
One final detail to not forget from the historic night in Naples came from the fans. Shortly after the fifth and final goal went in, all four stands of the stadium came together to sing the iconic anthem, Sarò con te. The moment was made all the more spine tingling by tifosi lighting up their mobile phones like candles as they sang.
Co-host of In the Shadow of Vesuvio podcast Michele Borrelli captured the moment in this video. The words of the chant, which wish for Napoli to return as champions, have often come across as a little melancholic in recent times. Against Juventus, however, it felt like a shared moment of mass belief. This season, whatever happens, will be partly remembered for bringing fans flocking back to home games. For a variety of reasons, this hasn’t been the case in recent times – even during the near miss of 2017/18. Last night, like perhaps the home tie against Liverpool, the players picked up on the energy of the crowd and seemed to use it to drive their turbo-charged destruction of Napoli’s greatest rivals.
Had great luck of being inside the DAM last Friday and possible saw the finest spell of football I have visibly seen in 40 years of seeing very type of football. Victor was obvious man of match I would pick Lobotka he was supreme with his reception and passing on ball plus his work to get it back. This was an exceptional night for the club surely the spring board and landmark victory To date in the pursuit of the scudetto. Keep doing right things and keep feet on the ground and it should be a magical early summer.