The kind of performance and win that has been the bedrock of many Juventus title wins in the past. Not fussed about dominating with the ball or creating loads of chances, but based on exemplary defensive focus, organization, work rate and making efficient use of their opportunities, which this season have primarily come from set pieces and crosses. The fact that for the second successive game the match-winning goal was scored by a Turin-based centre-back in Federico Gatti only adds to the parallels between this team and successful Juve sides of the past. For all the justifiable critiques of their style, downplaying their credentials and delivering results is all that Max Allegri will care about. There may be more entertaining teams in the league, but the Bianconeri and their grizzled manager don’t often get beaten in close races.
As for Napoli, successive defeats to Inter and Juve remove any lingering hopes of defending their title. Walter Mazzarri could say that in both games his team had their moments only to be deprived by some outstanding goalkeeping, but in truth the champions looked a cut below both this season’s pacesetters. Mazzarri now has to work on keeping his players motivated for this season’s core target, qualifying for the Champions League again in what looks like a proper scrap between three to six teams at this point in the season. The talent of the squad is not in doubt, but the new returning manager has a task on his hand keeping a clearly disgruntled set of players on track for the second half of the season.