Serie A: Napoli Derails Juventus’ Title Aspirations

Lorenzo Insigne’s first-half penalty was enough for Napoli to inflict a first defeat in eight games in all competitions, and derail Juventus’ title aspirations after a 1-0 victory at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, leaving the champions seven points behind league leaders AC Milan.

Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina pulled out of the game with an injury in the warm-up, but his replacement Meret proved to be the Man of the Match with a series of great saves on Cristiano Ronaldo and Federico Chiesa.

Veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini was penalised for a foul on Napoli’s Amir Rrahmani in the penalty area in the 31st-minute and Insigne stepped up. However, Insigne had missed three penalties against Juventus, including one in the Supercoppa last month.

Insigne showed no nerves and converted to score what proved to be the winner and his 100th goal in all competitions for Napoli.

Juventus looked a shadow of it’s normal self offensively in the first half but improved after the break, with Federico Chiesa denied by a fine save from Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret.

Cristiano Ronaldo was having an off day in front of goal, missing a glorious chance with his head late on to snatch a point, with Napoli seeing out the win to move into fourth on 40 points, two behind Juventus in third.

Ronaldo has been in stunning form for Juventus this season, but the Portuguese talisman was unable to save his side from losing away from home

Other Serie A reults

Torino 0-0 Genoa

Spezia 2-0 AC Milan

Chidi Nwoke.