Spalletti Launches Juventus Role with Triumph Against Cremonese as Napoli Draws Blank
Luciano Spalletti marked his debut as Juventus manager with a victory on Saturday, defeating Cremonese and their forward Jamie Vardy 2-1.
However, league frontrunners Napoli settled for a 0-0 stalemate against Como.
Filip Kostic netted the opening goal for Spallettis side in just 84 seconds, and Andrea Cambiaso added a second with a close-range effort in the 68th minute, propelling the assertive Juventus to fifth place, trailing Napoli by four points.
Juventus entered the fixture one point ahead of the resilient Cremonese, who demonstrated their ninth position credentials, having risen from Serie B last term.
The ex-England striker Vardy pulled one back in the 83rd minute, shrugging off Federico Gatti before advancing and slotting in his second league goal of the campaign with composure.
Spalletti was introduced as Juventus new coach on Thursday after Igor Tudors dismissal, with the 66-year-old agreeing a deal until seasons end.
He returns to club management following a turbulent stint leading the Italy national side, which concluded in June amid a failed Euro 2024 title defence and a heavy loss to Norway in the Azzurris initial 2026 World Cup qualifier.
Yet Spalletti displayed his flair for unconventional tactics by deploying Dutch midfielder Teun Koopmeiners at centre-back, a strategy that proved effective despite the absence of three central defenders, including Gleison Bremer.
Juventus face Sporting Lisbon at home on Tuesday, aiming for their inaugural Champions League win this season, currently holding two points from three outings under Spalletti.
Napoli Stalemate
For the second consecutive game, goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic preserved Napoli blushes by denying a penalty, this time thwarting Alvaro Morata bid for his debut Como goal after fouling the Spanish attacker in the first half.
This stood as the clearest chance in a tense, balanced encounter in Naples, opening the door for Napoli rivals to intensify pressure in the Scudetto race.
Roma lag Napoli by one point and could claim top spot with victory on Sunday evening versus AC Milan, who join Juventus and third-placed Inter Milan on four points off the pace.
"The game was tightly contested and enjoyable, featuring intensity as we pressed aggressively and they reciprocated," remarked Conte.
"It resembled a European clash where neither side retreated to defend and await counters. Both displayed courage."
Napoli now prepare to host Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday evening, with Antonio Contes squad on three points from three Champions League fixtures after a heavy reverse against PSV Eindhoven last month.
Como occupy sixth in Serie A, one point adrift of Juventus and the Milan outfits, prolonging their unbeaten domestic streak to eight games.
The modest outfit, supported by tobacco conglomerate Djarum, exhibited comfort under spotlight, characteristic of Cesc Fabregas coaching spell.
"Im satisfied to an extent, as performing that strongly demands a win. Still, we have progressed further, facing the title holders and a formidable opponent," stated Fabregas.
Atalantas unbeaten sequence ended with a 1-0 loss at Udinese in the afternoons opener, Nicolo Zaniolo scoring the decisive goal five minutes shy of the interval.