29 August 2019
It’s the seventh match day of the 2018/19 league. The first big match on the calendar is one of the decisive games of the season, a crucial junction in the fight for the title. It was first place against second place at Allianz Stadium, and the stakes were high. The two teams came into the game with a good string of results.
The Bianconeri arrived into the game with maximum points: six wins in six outings, and an average of at least two goals per game.
Ancelotti's team was not far behind. The difference translated to three points less in the standings, which was a result of a slip-up in Genova against Sampdoria. For the rest, the five victories show a clear indication of Ancelotti’s impact on the team.
The 90 MINUTES
Different moments of the game are mainly oriented around two voices: the very good start by Napoli, who surprised the Old Lady and claimed advantage of Mertens. The reaction force of Juventus, through Cristiano Ronaldo, was a protagonist in the three goals (two scored by Mandzukic and one by Bonucci) that secured the result.
Despite the numerical inferiority, caused by the sending off of Mario Rui, Napoli proved to have a fighting spirit right until the goal that made it 3-1. Precisely for this reason, the three points are worth a lot, and they establish the first real extension over their rivals. Moreover, on the previous four occasions in which Juventus won their first seven titles, the league has always been decided on the final day. It will be like this too: the main adversary of the Old Lady for some years now will have to settle for second place, without ever questioning the outcome of the tournament.
