A returning Giorgio Chiellini helped Juventus maintain their lead at the top of Serie A after negotiating a major title hurdle in a feisty 1-1 draw at second-placed SSC Napoli on Friday.
Italy defender Chiellini opened the scoring 10 minutes into his first start since suffering a calf injury in December last year, only to see it canceled out by Gokhan Inler’s deflected long-range strike two minutes from halftime.
The draw means champions Juve keep their six-point lead with 59 points and 11 games left, while Napoli have drawn four straight games
Photo: Reuters
Home striker Edinson Cavani, who has not scored in six games, was lucky to escape a red card for an apparent elbow on Chiellini late in the first half, but could be punished by Serie A on video review next week.
Chiellini sparked the incident, in a high-pressure game where Napoli fans had pelted the visiting team bus with stones before kickoff, by pulling the Uruguayan’s hair.
“I think we shown how much we want to win the league this year,” Chiellini told Sky Sports Italia. “We’re happy with our performance and it’s a shame that we didn’t win as we hoped to, but it was the right result.”
“It [my calf] still hurts. I have to thank the medical staff. We’ve worked into the night every day and even at home,” he added. “I’m happy to have helped the team today, even if I know that I have to improve physically.”
Following the clash between Chiellini and Cavani, referee Daniele Orsato decided to book the pair after consulting his goal-line official.
Juventus manager Antonio Conte was keen not to lose his temper in front of the cameras again after his two-week ban for criticizing officials in January.
“Giorgio was looking to see what kind of gel Cavani was wearing,” he joked. “It was a test of character and despite the fiery atmosphere we kept our cool and we were always in the game. We’re six points ahead ... but there are still 11 games left in which we have to go to Inter and [SS] Lazio, and have [AC] Milan at home and next week we have to take on this season’s revelation, which is Catania.”
Chiellini, 28, had Andrea Pirlo to thank for his goal after he powerfully headed in a pearl of a cross from his Italy and club teammate.
Walter Mazzarri’s side reacted well to going behind and pushed Juve back, but struggled to create clear-cut chances against a defense well marshaled by Chiellini.
Juve were dangerous on the break and Mirko Vucinic should have twice extended their lead soon after the opener.
First, he headed narrowly wide after another great cross, this time from Arturo Vidal, and then shot straight at Morgan De Sanctis when put clean through on goal again by the Chilean.
Juve paid for their wastefulness when Inler’s effort was deflected by Leonardo Bonucci’s head over Gianluigi Buffon and into the net.
Napoli had the better of the play in the second half, but were restricted to shooting from range.
Marek Hamsik twice forced smart saves from Buffon, first in the 58th minute and then 15 minutes later when substitute Blerim Dzemaili missed the best chance of the night from the rebound, somehow shooting wide of an open goal.
Napoli’s hopes of a first Serie A title since the days of Diego Maradona in 1990 are starting to look increasing slim and third-placed Lazio could close the gap on them to three points if they won at Milan, in fourth, yesterday.
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