Juventus vs. Napoli: Even Superman Can't Save Bianconeri from Super Cup Defeat

Sometimes, even the best isn’t quite good enough.

In a season where Juventus have coped wonderfully despite the loss of Antonio Conte, his successor was denied silverware as Napoli won the first trophy of the campaign. The Italian Super Cup was delayed from August due to fixture congestion, and Rafael Benitez’s side will feel the wait was more than worth it.

Indeed, this penalty shootout victory for the Partenopei should prove a huge boost to their previously fragile confidence. Having failed to qualify for the Champions League—suffering a heartbreaking loss in the playoff round—Napoli have struggled in recent weeks but now go into the winter break on a high, as they also sit third in the Serie A table.

For Massimiliano Allegri and Juventus, however, losing the trophy they have won in each of the last two seasons should hardly matter. The coach has steered the team to not only enjoy a three-point lead over nearest rivals Roma, but has also guided them into the latter stages of the Champions League.

Improving on last season’s dismal showing in that competition, he has also implemented a change in formation that bodes well for the future. Discussed in detail here, Allegri’s switch to a 4-3-2-1 framework should allow for further growth away from the previous limitations of the back three.

It was undoubtedly a disappointing night for Allegri, the coach telling RAI Sport that he thought the Bianconeri “could’ve done better,” (h/t Football Italia). Yet there may have been one man left to rue the loss even more: Juventus captain Gigi Buffon.

The goalkeeper turned in a magnificent performance against Napoli, one that brought to mind the very best in a career punctuated with no shortage of incredible displays. Time and again the 36-year-old was called into service, and on each occasion he would prove he was more than equal to the task.

Marek Hamsik’s early shot struck the post and appeared to awaken the World Cup winner, Buffon on top form from that moment on. A superb save from Gonzalo Higuain as the second half began maintained Juve’s lead, before he closed down the Argentinian and saw a lobbed effort again strike the frame of his goal.

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He would brilliantly deny the former Real Madrid striker in extra time before saving the Bianconeri yet again after a blunder from Leonardo Bonucci. With the score locked at 2-2 after 120 minutes, the tie would head to penalties, and Buffon would do all he could to lead his side to glory.

Having already saved a penalty this season against Atalanta, the Azzurri captain would raise his game even higher during the shootout. He tipped Napoli’s first penalty from Jorginho onto the post, but a Carlos Tevez miss would subsequently send the tie into sudden death.

Buffon would hand his side the initiative twice more, denying both Dries Mertens and Jose Callejon only to see his team-mates once again fail to deliver. Misses from Roberto Pereyra, Giorgio Chiellini—the latter capping a dire overall display—and Simone Padoin eventually lead to a defeat that the captain will find difficult to palate.

The defence in front of him was poor all night, but the man affectionately dubbed “Superman” by supporters did all he could in pursuit of victory. Having also suffered a tough defeat to Genoa on his 500th Serie A appearance in late October, it has been a difficult campaign for the veteran star.

Eighteen months on from Bayern Munich’s honorary president Franz Beckenbauer labeling him “a pensioner,” per Sky Sports, retirement appears the last thing on his mind. With Manuel Neuer championed as a potential Ballon d’Or winner as the likes of Thibaut Courtois and David de Gea garner major attention, Buffon once again served notice he is far from finished.

Thankfully, the usually excellent Juventus defence ensures he doesn’t need to reach those heights too often, but when there is a job for “Superman,” he always seems to be there.