Napoli Draw with Como as Spalletti Launches Juventus Tenure
Napoli ended in a 0-0 stalemate against Como in Serie A on Saturday while Luciano Spalletti kicked off his stint in the Juventus bench against Cremonese.
The title holders Napoli lead Roma by a single point with Roma poised to claim the lead if they defeat AC Milan on Sunday evening.
For the second consecutive game the keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic preserved Napoli's clean sheet by denying a spot kick this time thwarting Alvaro Morata's debut goal for Como after fouling the Spanish striker around the midpoint of the opening period.
This stood out as the prime chance in a tense and cautious encounter in Naples allowing Napoli's competitors to ramp up the pressure in the Scudetto race.
Milan lag four points behind the leaders before their key matchup with Roma at San Siro while third ranked Inter Milan who are also four points off trail face bottom dwellers Verona in the Sunday opener.
"The game was evenly balanced and enjoyable due to the intensity both sides brought with high pressing from each" noted Conte.
"It resembled a European fixture where neither side retreated to defend and seek counters. Both were bold in their approach."
Napoli now focus on hosting Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday evening as Antonio Conte's side holds only three points from three Champions League outings after a heavy loss to PSV Eindhoven last month.
Como occupy fifth in Serie A one point adrift of the Milan outfits after stretching their unbeaten domestic streak to eight games.
The modest outfit supported by tobacco firm Djarum displayed comfort under the spotlight consistent with Cesc Fabregas' spell as manager.
You Must Secure Victory
Fabregas remained optimistic post match asserting his side merited victory over Napoli on their home turf.
"I'm satisfied to some extent for when you perform that strongly you need to triumph. Yet we advanced further by facing the champions and a solid outfit" he commented.
"Few teams press Napoli as aggressively as we managed especially at the Maradona. Age aside that lineup features three 20 year olds two 21 year olds and a 22 year old.
"Not many European sides achieve that. It highlights how remarkable it was to visit and compete at that level for 75 minutes."
Ex Napoli icon Spalletti initiates his Juventus era by leading the Turin powerhouse to Cremonese where the teams sit just one point and two spots apart in the table.
Spalletti got introduced as the new head for seventh placed Juve on Thursday after Igor Tudor's dismissal on Monday with the 66 year old ex Italy boss penning a deal through season's end.
Juve follow Napoli by seven points prior to the Stadio Giovanni Zini showdown where Jamie Vardy seeks a second Serie A strike following his first versus Atalanta last week.
Atalanta's perfect run ended at Udinese in the early Saturday game with Nicolo Zaniolo scoring the decider five minutes shy of the break for his third tally in four outings.
Ivan Juric's squad remain winless across six league dates holding 11th spot five points shy of Champions League qualification.