Dries Mertens put Napoli ahead mid-way through the first half before Federico Chiesa equalized for Juventus in the 54th minute.
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Juventus and Napoli played out a 1-1 draw in the Serie A fixture in Turin on Thursday. Dries Mertens put Napoli ahead mid-way through the first half before Federico Chiesa equalized for the hosts in the second half. There was a doubt the game would go ahead because of a COVID-19 outbreak in the Napoli squad that ruled out Victor Osimhen, Fabian Ruiz, Kevin Malcuit, Hirving Lozano, Fabian Ruiz, Alex Meret, Keven Malcuit and the suspended Mario Rui as well as head coach Lucian Spalletti.
The match between @juventusfcen and @en_sscnapoli ends in a draw: 1️⃣-1️⃣ ⚖️#JuveNapoli #SerieA? #WeAreCalcio pic.twitter.com/0Em3uRrBLf
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) January 6, 2022
Kalidou Koulibaly, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Adam Ounas were at the Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile Juve missed Leonardo Bonucci, Danilo and Aaron Ramsey, while Georgio Chiellini had COVID, so Daniele Rugani got a rare start in the central defence and Chiesa made his return from injury.
Juve should have got the lead inside the opening four minutes, but Weston McKennie’s free header from Federico Bernardeschi’s corner from the left flank went wide. Few minutes later, Chiesa’s attempt from outside the box just missed the target. As the game progressed, the visitors grew in confidence and put their nose in front in the 23rd minute.
Lorenzo Insigne played a delightful overhead ball to Matteo Politano on the right side of the penalty area. The Italian midfielder laid the ball to Mertens who took one touch before slotting home past Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and into the back of the net. It was the Belgium forward’s sixth goal in eight league games.
Juan Cuadrado flashed his attempt across the face of goal before Zielinski’s shot from outside the box was tipped over the crossbar by Szczesny. Mertens’ free-kick whistled just wide while Chiesa’s volley was charged down by Faouzi Ghoulam.
Chiesa scored Juve’s equalizer in the 54th minute. Cuadrado released McKennie down the right flank, the American footballer’s cross from the byline was headed clear by Amir Rahmani, only for Chiesa to collect it and slot home past David Ospina into the far bottom corner from just inside the box with the help of a fortunate deflection off Lobotka’s leg.
Both the goalkeeper’s were kept on their toes as Ospina was tested by Chiesa’s half-volley before Mertens tested Szczesny at the back post. Ospina made a low full stretch save to deny substitute Paulo Dybala before Moise Kean nodded Cuadrado’s cross over the bar. .
After the draw, Napoli remained at the third spot with 40 points from 20 games, 6 points behind leaders Inter Milan who have a game in hand while Massimiliano Allegri’s side remained at the fifth place with 35 points.
