Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Napoli's Giacomo Raspadori nets late winner to edge out Juventus

sportsmole.co.uk, 3 March 2024, 21:42
Giacomo Raspadori netted a late winner to guide Napoli to a narrow 2-1 victory over Juventus at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia volleyed the hosts into the lead in the 42nd minute, before his ninth goal of the season was cancelled out by Federico Chiesa's late strike.

Chiesa must have thought he had done enough to rescue at least a point, only to see Raspadori score an 88th-minute winner after Wojciech Szczesny had saved Victor Osimhen's penalty.

Napoli moved up to seventh spot after claiming consecutive league victories for the first time since September, while Juventus remain in second position and 12 points adrift of Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

Napoli came into the match off the back of a confident-boosting 6-1 win over Sassuolo, but the reigning Serie A champions knew they faced a much tougher test against a pragmatic Juventus side.

Massimiliano Allegri's troops required just 10 minutes to carve out a clear-cut chance, with Dusan Vlahovic directing his header just wide from Chiesa's lofted cross.

Although the hosts took their time to grow into the contest, they finally created a meaningful opportunity in the 37th minute when Kvaratskhelia forced Szczesny into action following a purposeful run.

Undeterred, Kvaratskhelia ultimately found a way past Sczesny before the half-time break, with the Georgian latching onto Gleison Bremer's headed clearance to send a thunderous volley into the net.

After working hard to take the lead, Napoli were fortunate to take a slender lead into the break after Hamed Traore lost possession on the edge of the box, gifting Vlahovic the chance to take aim at goal.

However, the Serbia international could only whip his fizzing effort over the bar, leaving Allegri with work to do at the half-time interval.

Allegri's wise words appeared to have the desired effect as the visitors made a determined start to the second period.

Andrea Cambiaso blazed harmlessly over from inside the Napoli box, before Vlahovic fired straight at Alex Meret from a narrow angle.

Although they had to be patient, Juventus ultimately grabbed a deserved equaliser in the 82nd minute when Chiesa rifled a low strike into the bottom corner.

Just as momentum seemed to be in Juventus' favour, the gripping encounter provided one final dramatic twist after Joseph Ngonge was penalised for fouling Osimhen in the box.

The Nigeria international saw his subsequent penalty saved by Szczesny, but Raspdori reacted quickest to guide home the rebound.

Daniele Rugani spurned a glorious opportunity to net a stoppage-time equaliser, skying the ball from Kenan Yildiz's low cross to the relief of the home support.

Napoli interim boss Francesco Calzona has now avoided defeat in his opening four games in charge, and he will look to continue that run against Torino next weekend.

Meanwhile, Juventus will attempt to return to winning ways when they welcome Atalanta to the Allianz Stadium on matchday 28 of the Serie A season.

Top News

24 November 2024 talksport.com Trent Alexander-Arnold is a major doubt for Liverpool's blockbuster Champions League clash against Real Madrid this week. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester United's new era under Ruben Amorim got off to the perfect start with a goal inside two minutes against Ipswich. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has joined an exclusive Premier League managers' club thanks to the Reds' thrilling 3-2 fightback win over Southampton at St Mary's. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City are reportedly interested in signing Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson in January. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Southampton have topped the standings in an unwelcome statistic after sloppily conceding at home to Liverpool. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Leicester City have announced they have parted company with manager Steve Cooper. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Arne Slot has continued his flying start to life in Liverpool after beating Southampton 3-2 at St Mary's Stadium. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Estevao Willian further extended his record-breaking season in the Brasileiro as Palmeiras defeated Atletico Goianiense on Saturday night. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool passed one of the most difficult examinations of their Premier League title credentials yet as they fought back from a goal down to triumph 3-2 over a spirited Southampton side at St Mary's. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City have announced the departure of manager Steve Cooper, with the 44-year-old being sacked off the back of Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly stepping up their attempts to sign Lille attacker Angel Gomes, with the North London club potentially getting a deal done during the January transfer window. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Manchester City will reportedly go head-to-head for the signature of Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres during next summer's transfer window. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Wayne Rooney is preparing a move for a young Liverpool striker who is the son of an ex-Birmingham City star. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk From dark horses to genuine contenders for the Serie A crown, Atalanta BC now hope to enhance their Champions League credentials on Tuesday, when they visit BSC Young Boys. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are once again expected to be without the services of Lamine Yamal for Tuesday's Champions League contest with Brest, as the 17-year-old continues to battle an ankle problem. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aberdeen, looking to bounce back from their first league defeat of the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season, will travel to the Easter Road Stadium on Tuesday to take on basement dwellers Hibernian. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will be aiming to record their fourth Champions League victory of the campaign when they welcome French outfit Brest to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday night. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Malang Sarr's time at Chelsea was largely forgettable. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Kyle Walker has been offered a harsh reminder his career at the top level may be over after a tough game against former employers Tottenham. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On the back of contrasting results on the fourth matchday of the 2024-25 Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen and Red Bull Salzburg cross paths on Tuesday evening in their latest European affair. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Wayne Rooney admits he'd like to partake in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, but an appearance isn't imminent. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich remain without the services of Joao Palhinha for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain, which could mean a start in central midfield for Leon Goretzka. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Paris Saint-Germain will welcome Marquinhos back into their side for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. 24 November 2024 talksport.com Jamie O'Hara had plenty to say after Tottenham Hotspur's rampant 4-0 win at Manchester City. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Former Chelsea defender Malang Sarr has admitted that he was affected by comments made by Mauricio Pochettino during his time at Stamford Bridge. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United are reportedly contemplating whether to enter the race for PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Allianz Arena will play host to a blockbuster contest in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with Bayern Munich welcoming Paris Saint-Germain, and both sides will be under pressure to pick up a positive result. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams competing for a spot in the Championship playoff places will meet on Tuesday evening, as Watford host Bristol City at Vicarage Road for matchday 17 of the 2024-25 season. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion have reportedly reached a decision over the asking price of Evan Ferguson. 24 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Avoiding a catastrophic sixth defeat in a row will be the aim for Manchester City when Feyenoord touch down at the Etihad for Tuesday's Champions League league phase showdown.