Raspadori’s Goal Secures Dramatic Victory for Napoli against Juventus in Turin

Giacomo Raspadori’s 93rd-minute volley gave Napoli a dramatic 1-0 victory over Juventus on Sunday, securing a rare Serie A double over the Bianconeri.

The remarkable end of the match in Turin was completely contrary to everything that had happened before: a dull first 70 minutes suggested that the two clubs had taken a break together at the end of a crazy week.

Juventus returned to the top four after their successful initial appeal over an earlier point deduction, while Napoli focused entirely on the Scudetto after being knocked out of the Champions League.

If a point then may have suited both sides, neither showed it: Juve netted twice in the final stage before Raspadori captured what could be considered a well-deserved winner.

This meeting certainly didn’t feel like a backwards game that league leaders Napoli dominated and won 5-1.

Indeed, Partenopeia created very little until Victor Osimhen saw three chances quickly appear and disappear in the second half in a row.

20 minutes before the end, the striker struck a low blow from the bar, and then nodded directly at Wojciech Szczesny from the resulting corner.

Shortly thereafter, Osimhen brought the ball over the bar for the first time, a miss that could prove costly when Ángel Di Maria countered, only for VAR to call a marginal build-up foul.

Dušan Vlahović also failed to score a goal as Federico Chiesa kicked the ball out of play, but Napoli’s last chance seemed to be squandered again by Osimhen when Szczęsny made a good save.

However, a few seconds later, Eldzhif Elmas crossed from the right, and Raspadori hit the goalkeeper with a low blow between the legs and snatched points.

What does it mean? Double pleasure from Napoli.

It was not a game that will be remembered for a long time, but Raspadori’s goal will definitely remain.

The decisive blow brought Napoli only their fourth double over Juventus in Serie A and the first since the 2009–2010 season.

Juventus might not be their title contenders this season – even if they were incredibly runners-up with a win – but victories against the Bianconeri are always warmly received in Naples.

Wasteful Osimhen didn’t make me pay

Osimhen is Serie A’s top scorer this season, so Napoli were hoping their best chance fell to him.

Be that as it may, his repeated failure to hit the net could well have cost the Serie A leaders. Osimhen’s six shots totaled 0.7 xG, which was a game record.

Napoli avoid Lobotka scandal

Although Stanislav Lobotka won six of his 11 duels, it looked like he was beaten to the ball in the hottest point of the game to the winner.

It was in the run-up to Di Maria’s missed goal when referee Michael Fabbri ambiguously ruled that Lobotka had been fouled by Arkadiusz Milik, although the replays on the fieldside monitor were far from definitive.

Key facts about opts

– Giacomo Raspadori’s goal at 92 minutes and 48 seconds was the last goal scored by a Napoli player against Juventus in Serie A since Opta collected such data (2004-05).
– Juventus lost three games in a row in Serie A for the first time since March 2011.
– Napoli have won both Serie A matches against Juventus this campaign, scoring the highest double over them for the fourth time.
– Napoli won the Serie A away game against Juventus for the first time since April 2018.

What’s next?

Now 17 points clear of second-placed Lazio, Napoli could win the title as early as next weekend when they face Salernitana. Juventus will host Inter in the Coppa Italia semi-final midweek.