Updated: Jesus inspires Napoli to comeback win at Juve
(Adds Milan - Parma game)
Substitute Jesus Datolo helped a rampaging Napoli fight back from 2-0 down to triumph 3-2 at Juventus in a thrilling Serie A encounter today.
The Argentine midfielder scored one goal and set up the other two to send Napoli up to joint fifth, two points behind Milan who are fourth after leapfrogging Parma thanks to Marco Borriello's double in a 2-0 home win.
"When a coach makes a change... it's so the players will respond and Datolo has done really well," Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri, who has won three out of four games since replacing Roberto Donadoni at the start of the month, told Sky television.
Juve, second in the table, came into the game on a high after Wednesday's 5-1 thrashing of Sampdoria but left the pitch completely stunned having appeared to have the match wrapped up.
The hosts took the lead when striker David Trezeguet powered in a header 10 minutes before the break.
Sebastian Giovinco doubled their advantage early in the second half when he slotted home after Napoli defender Matteo Contini headed the ball straight to him under no pressure.
Datolo then made an immediate impact for the Naples club moments after coming on, crossing for Marek Hamsik to score.
He scrambled home the equaliser just after the hour mark following Hamsik's corner before his ball into the box led to Slovakia's Hamsik grabbing the winner nine minutes from time.
Substitute Amauri was harshly sent off late on for sliding into Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis to complete a miserable second half for Ciro Ferrara's Juve, who fell apart at the back.
"It's difficult to easily analyse the match. Napoli are a side that never give up but it's inexplicable," Ferrara said.
"We take the smack in the face, which hurts, and move on."
Improving Milan, who host Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday when Juve visit Maccabi Haifa, had an early scare when Dida touched Blerim Dzemaili's screamer onto the bar.
Striker Borriello then put the home side ahead after 12 minutes when he scuffed in a cute pass from the lively Ronaldinho.
The duo combined again in injury time when Borriello acrobatically converted the Brazilian's cross.
Leaders Inter , four points above Juve, visit Livorno tomorrow with defender Davide Santon left out of the squad after a poor performance in Thursday's 5-3 win over Palermo.
6 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Silvan Zammit
Nov 1st 2009, 10:03
I don't agree that Napoli won the match because of a poor performance by Juve.. On the contrary, Napoli have once again won against all odds and with another convincing performance. Mazzarri is doing an amazing work..let us not forget that Juve's seconds goal was a Christmas gift by Contini. After 21 years, revenge was sooo sweet against the striped! Avanti ultras
Manuel Mangani
Nov 1st 2009, 00:42
More of a diabolical performance by Juve at the back.
E. Azzopardi
Oct 31st 2009, 21:48
A team who plays at home, and leading by 2-0, then looses 2-3, does not deserve to win the league.
james grech
Oct 31st 2009, 21:02
Juventus should make a self assessment and realise that with low standard players such as Tiago (should change sport);Poulsen (should change planet);Grosso (should play only in World Cup);Cannavaro (should retire ASAP);Grygera(should come play in IASC league in Malta);Amauri (should change job to hair model);Melo(should watch DVD of players such as real midfielders like Viera,Cambiasso 24hr a day) etc etc...Ferrara is also not up to standard.
M. Fenech
Oct 31st 2009, 21:01
San Gennaro, Jesus ... what else now!?!?:)))
Kevin Sammut
Oct 31st 2009, 20:39
call it divine intervention!