Defeat to Cagliari last time out ended Juventus’ six-game unbeaten run in SA, but victory over Benfica in the UEFA Champions League in midweek will have given them confidence ahead of this important top-of-the-table clash.
The Bianconeri started the game with far more intensity than their opponents, although Francisco Conceicao’s cross-cum-shot that flew narrowly wide in the 13th minute was their first chance of note.
Opportunities were more frequent from then on, and after Weston McKennie’s header trickled wide of the post, Khéphren Thuram saw a curling effort cannon back off the crossbar.
While Antonio Vergara did force Michele Di Gregorio into action at the opposite end, Juve remained on top and found the opener on 22’.
Now relishing life in Turin after a difficult start, Jonathan David added to his pre-match haul of two goals in three league games in true style, finishing clinically after controlling the ball with his chest. It was a just reward for Juventus’ superiority, and had Alessandro Buongiorno not been on the line to keep out Conceicao’s shot minutes later, Napoli would have gone into the break two down.
After the restart, chances were few and far between, with Juve happy to absorb Napoli’s attempts at pressure. The Partenopei did fire off a couple of efforts through Rasmus Hojlund and Miguel Gutierrez, but neither were anywhere close to troubling Di Gregorio.
As the second half progressed, Napoli’s belief appeared to dissipate as Juventus looked increasingly comfortable. With a little under 15 minutes remaining, they gave themselves extra breathing space when Kenan Yildiz’s composed finish punished a poor Juan Jesus pass.
All in all, this was a comfortable evening at the office for Luciano Spalletti’s men, and they added extra gloss to the scoreline late on courtesy of substitute Filip Kostic’s arrowed drive from just outside the area.
Meanwhile, this was a big blow to Napoli’s diminishing hopes of a second successive Scudetto – they are now nine points adrift of leaders Inter Milan with 16 games to play.
Next up is an all-or-nothing UEFA Champions League clash with Chelsea on Wednesday, with anything other than a victory likely to see them exit the competition.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kenan Yildiz (Juventus)