Napoli vs. Juventus: Paul Pogba and Massimiliano Allegri Inspire Bianconeri Win

Juventus travelled to Naples on Sunday evening to face Napoli, a match of major significance in the Serie A title race. While a game between two of Italian football’s biggest clubs should need little else to signify its importance, this encounter carried more than a little extra weight for the Bianconeri.

As the buildup to the game began, the Turin giants were constantly reminded that they were without a win at the Stadio San Paolo since September 2000. While it must be noted that the fixture was absent from the top-flight calendar for seven years following that victory, it was still an unwanted record for Massimiliano Allegri’s men.

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Given the Super Cup triumph the Partenopei enjoyed in December—reviewed here—manager Rafael Benitez and Napoli began the match high on confidence. Those hopes were almost boosted early into the game, with their counter-attacking style seeing Jonathan de Guzman gifted a chance to open the scoring, but he failed to capitalise.

Arturo Vidal would similarly miscue moments later, before a flash of magic broke the game open in favour of the visitors. A touch from Fernando Llorente in the area was deflected into the air, and Paul Pogba—largely a peripheral figure until that point—carefully tracked its flight.

Seemingly frozen in time, the Partenopei defence could only watch as the ball dropped to the young Frenchman. Leaning back, he unleashed a superb volley into the far corner, leaving Napoli goalkeeper Rafael Cabral with no chance to make a save.

Reminiscent of Zinedine Zidane’s stunning effort in the 2002 Champions League final, the goal stunned the normally vociferous home crowd into silence, and it prompted a vastly improved performance from his team-mates. From the moment his 29th-minute strike found the back of the net, Juventus controlled the match almost completely until half-time.

It was the kind of goal that only a truly special player can provide—one which lifts those around them and inspires teams to victory. While the clamour for a star signing during the transfer window has been inescapable, it also served as a reminder of the quality already on display in the Bianconeri lineup.

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The strike was also Pogba’s third against Napoli, a mark the club’s official Twitter account was only too happy to note. After the restart, however, another trait of recent Juventus performances reared its head as the team made a subdued return to the field.

Jose Callejon hit the side netting almost immediately, before a clash of heads left Giorgio Chiellini and Patrice Evra both needing treatment. The introduction of Dries Mertens left the Bianconeri defence equally dazed, and it was his corner which created an equaliser for Miguel Britos.

Juve quickly restored their lead through Martin Caceres, and Allegri immediately made changes in order to protect that advantage. The coach would substitute Pogba—who aside from his goal had made almost no other contribution to the match—for Stephan Lichtsteiner to facilitate a change of formation.

Indeed, the 21-year-old had connected with just of his 67.7 percent of 37 passes, according to statistics from WhoScored.com, a mark far below his usual standard. The same source shows he has averaged 81.5 percent this term, while he was also constantly caught in possession during a poor display on Sunday.

His exit allowed the Bianconeri to revert to the 3-5-2 with which Antonio Conte had enjoyed so much success, with Allegri showing a tactical flexibility that his predecessor seemed so adverse to. Where previously the three-man back line was as much a fixture of the side as the black and white stripes, it is now merely an option when required.

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The team would suffer further blows as Caceres went off with a shoulder injury, and the uncertainty in the Juventus defence saw Napoli gifted yet more chances on goal. A collision between Kalidou Koulibaly and Gigi Buffon saw one effort disallowed; then Duvan Zapata was booked for choosing to dive when it was perhaps easier to score.

A shot from Gonzalo Higuain went narrowly wide before Vidal broke free to seal victory for Juventus, his thumping shot ensuring a memorable victory. She may not have been at her best, but thanks to Pogba’s wonderful goal and some quick thinking from Allegri, the Old Lady certainly have three invaluable points.