Juventus and Napoli performed out a goalless draw on Saturday, as the 2 groups, each tipped to problem for the Serie A title, cancelled one another out in Antonio Conte’s return to his former membership.
The fiercely contested, but removed from thrilling, match on the Allianz Stadium in Turin noticed Juventus keep their unbeaten begin below new coach Thiago Motta.
Juve are but to concede in Serie A this season, however their third consecutive league stalemate denied them high spot, which is at the moment held by native rivals Torino following their 3-2 win at Verona on Friday.
Torino lead the desk by some extent forward of Udinese, who face Roma on Sunday, and third-placed Napoli, whereas Juve are one other level behind in fourth.
“With out objectives, it’s unattainable to win video games,” mentioned a blunt Weston McKennie.
Motta shocked many by substituting Dusan Vlahovic at half-time for Timothy Weah, with the Serbian striker taken off purely for tactical causes.
Vlahovic has failed to attain in 5 of his six appearances for Juve this season, and solely touched the ball six occasions within the first half, in one other irritating show.
“It’s not like he involves the sport and says, ‘I received’t rating immediately’,” added McKennie.
“We’ve to maintain his head up, remind him he’s an essential participant for us, and the objectives will come ultimately.”
Napoli coach Conte, a winner of eight Serie A titles and the 1996 Champions League throughout his 16 years with Juve as a participant and coach, obtained a low-key welcome from his former supporters.
Conte had beforehand returned to Turin as Inter Milan’s coach, however that was through the Covid-19 pandemic when followers weren’t current within the stadium.
Stalemate –
Conte’s staff did properly to stifle the match, whereas additionally creating the 2 greatest probabilities both facet of half-time, with Michele Di Gregorio pulling off an outstanding save from Matteo Politano, who additionally blasted over shortly after the break.
“I used to be involved concerning the defence tonight, however they have been wonderful,” Conte instructed DAZN.
“We have been at Juventus, who completed 18 factors forward of us final season and are within the Champions League. I requested the staff to proceed their good type, and I feel they performed properly.
“We have to be higher with the ball in sure areas although. We might have made extra of a few of the conditions we created.”
Earlier than kick-off, followers paid tribute to Toto Schillaci, the previous Juve striker who grew to become a nationwide hero by scoring six occasions for Italy on the 1990 World Cup. Schillaci handed away on Wednesday on the age of 59 after battling bowel most cancers.
Sadly, the second of remembrance was disrupted by some Napoli supporters, who have been whistled at by house followers after shouting insults.
There was little goalmouth motion as soon as the match obtained underway, with the primary actual likelihood not coming till stoppage time when Di Gregorio did brilliantly to tip away Politano’s free-kick because it flew previous Romelu Lukaku’s head.
Politano was concerned once more 9 minutes after the break, reducing inside and curling a shot simply over the bar.
That was the final main incident of a match the place each groups appeared content material with a draw relatively than risking defeat to a direct rival so early within the season.
Earlier, Venezia claimed their first win since being promoted, securing a 2-0 house victory over Genoa.
AFP