Victor Osimhen scored a double, and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia produced another masterclass as Napoli made a mockery out of Juventus’ eight-match winning run and just an as long string of clean sheets. The Neapolitans dismantled their hated rivals from the north and strengthened their Scudetto bid with a comprehensive 5-1 win at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.The Parthenopeans inflicted Juventus’ largest defeat in three decades and showed the kind of ruthlessness that’s necessary for any team to go all the way through a 38-matchday competition.The encounter between these two in-form sides came just in time to test either club’s credentials in the title race. Napoli’s defeat at the hands of Inter in the first match of 2023 cast a shadow over them, while Juventus’ granite defence in recent weeks has given them hope that they could fight for the ultimate prize despite being far from exciting and suffering from numerous injuries throughout the season.Luciano Spalleti’s side grabbed the game by the neck and started off on the front foot in Naples.Serie A’s table-topping side took the lead in the 14th minute thanks to a classy Osimhen finish. Politano received a pass from Di Lorenzo and delivered to Kvara, whose shot was parried by Szczesny. But the Polish goalie couldn’t do anything with the Nigerian’s follow-up.Argentinean Angel came close to levelling a few minutes later, but his solo effort and a left-footed drive bounded off the crossbar, to the relief of Rrahmani, who misplaced his pass and let Di Maria have a go.Arkadiusz Milik was played in by Filip Kostic from the left, but Alex Meret managed to save comfortably. Kvicha doubled the lead five minutes before the break after a lovely team move, but Di Maria wouldn’t be stopped, and he halved the deficit after being served a perfect pass from Milik. It was a shock for the home fans, who were already singing songs of victory. But the game was far from over – at least at that point. Despite giving the travelling fans a bit of hope, Di Maria’s strike only postponed the painful realisation that they are nowhere near as competent when pitted against the top teams.Meret saved his teammate Rrahmani’s blushes again in the dying seconds of the first half, diving through the air to prevent what would have been an infamous own goal for the Albanian international.Rrahmani made amends for his errors with a well-taken volley ten minutes after the restart. Juventus have been very proud of their recent defensive record, but they looked a totally different side in the south of Italy tonight. Nobody was tracking Rrahmani as he powered the ball into the net unopposed to restore his team’s two-goal cushion.Things got even worse for the Zebras when Oshimhen tucked in another goal. Juventus’ defender Bremer continued his nightmarish performance by giving the ball away to Kvaratskhelia in a dangerous area. The Georgian was quick to cross for Osimhen to head into the net and all but ensure the victory.Elif Elmas got the fifth to spark off big celebrations as Allegri and members of his staff looked each other in disbelief. This was the first time Juventus conceded five goals in a single match since 1993. That’s three decades since the black and whites suffered such humiliation.Napoli’s pressing has been (once again) brilliant against Juve. Not for its efficiency, but for its CONSISTENCY.No matter the score, pressing structure applies with the same energy, discipline.(3-1, 25minutes before final whistle). pic.twitter.com/WNeZpRQm6U— Mar’tics (@martics97) January 13, 2023 Napoli are marching on to the title!SERIE A – Matchday 18FridayNapoli – Juventus 5-1 (2-1)/Osimhen 14, 65, Kvaratskhelia 39, Rrahmani 55, Elmas 72 – Di Maria 42/Saturday17.00: (3.00) Cremonese (3.15) Monza (2.70)20.00: (6.25) Lecce (3.80) Milan (1.68)22.45: (1.34) Inter (5.70) Verona (9.00)Sunday14.30: (3.35) Sassuolo (3.50) Lazio (2.30)17.00: (1.73) Torino (3.80) Spezia (5.70)17.00: (2.04) Udinese (3.50) Bologna (4.10)20.00: (1.43) Atalanta (4.50) Salernitana (8.50)22.45: (2.14) Roma (3.50) Fiorentina (3.80)Monday22.45: (2.35) Empoli (3.25) Sampdoria (3.50)***odds are subject to change
