Serie A
Result: Napoli 1-2 Juventus
Date: 03 March 2019
Venue: Stadio San Paolo
Unbeaten Juventus moved 16 points clear at the top of Serie A with a 2-1 win over Napoli in an entertaining encounter on Sunday evening.
Bianconeri re-called goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, Emre Can, Giorgio Chiellini and Miralem Pjanic after they missed the narrow win over Bologna the last time out.
The match started with a frantic pace but took a decisive turn in the 25th minute after Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret was red-carded for a foul on Cristiano Ronaldo, who was clear on goal. Carlo Ancelotti sacrificed top scorer Arkadiusz Milik for back-up shot-stopper David Ospina to come on.
From the resulting free-kick, Pjanic sent an effort over the wall and past Ospina to break the deadlock for Bianconeri.
Can doubled the lead for the Old Lady with six minutes remaining before halftime with a header inside the box that took a deflection on it's way to far post.
Ancelotti's charges hope of securing a comeback was given hope two minutes into the second stanza after Pjanic was sent off after picking up his second yellow card of the game.
Jose Callejon pulled a goal back for Napoli in the 61st minute with a close range finish following a well floated cross from Lorenzo Insigne to set up a nervy finish.
There was more controversy eight minutes before time as Napoli were awarded a penalty for a perceived handball by Alex Sandro after the referee consulted with the Video Assistant Referee. Insigne took responsibility but could not capitalise as he struck the upright from 12-yards .
The hosts were all over Juventus in the closing stages, but Bianconeri weathered the storm and held on for victory to move 16 points clear of Ancelotti's side.
