All as expected. The 23rd day doesn't offer jolts at the top but leaves the positions unchanged, thus respecting the indications of the eve. In fact, it was unlikely that Benevento and Sassuolo could create problems for Napoli and Juventus and the predictions were respected, albeit in different ways. Cynical and concrete victory for the Azzurri in the Campania derby, bubbly beyond any reasonable expectation for the Bianconeri over the unfortunate Emilians, as if the roles of "grasshopper and ant" had suddenly reversed.
The novelty of this season lies precisely in the transformation of Sarri's men, now determined to look after substance rather than form. After all, the championships are won in this way and this is precisely the dream that the Azzurri want to turn into reality: matches like the one in Benevento must be won regardless of the size of the result.
Having said that, it's not that Vigorito's Napoli were bad, on the contrary: seeing Mertens' balance-breaking goal is believing. After the one blocked by Insigne's crossbar, here's the winning lob from the Belgian to leave Puggioni (20') and give the advantage to the Azzurri, thus directing the 3 points on the road to the Campania capital. Hamsik's doubling (47') paved the way even further, before the Var rightly took away a penalty from Benevento for an offside at the start of the action.
Emotions essentially finished, except for Mertens leaving the field due to an ankle injury (76 '): pending today's exams it can be said that a discreet optimism filters in given that the Belgian left Benevento without feeling particularly strong pains.
“I don't think it's anything to worry about – confirmed Sarri. – I'm happy with the win, playing for them isn't easy and we struggled to get into the match. The truth is that we are enjoying an incredible championship with 60 points in 23 days, Juve are keeping the same pace but for them it is much more normal. Pressures? Absolutely not, we have already gone beyond everyone's expectations."
Goal and show at Vigorito but never like in Turin, where Juve even exaggerated. The 7-0 final literally humiliated Sassuolo, who arrived at the Stadium with the desire to speak his mind and sent home with broken bones. A goal that leaves excellent sensations in view of the match in Florence (Friday) and, above all, the one against Tottenham (Tuesday 13), the most important of the season so far.
Arriving at these commitments with a defense that doesn't concede goals and an attack capable of scoring in bursts can only arouse optimism, provided, however, that you never lose the will to fight. In fact, what happened yesterday doesn't make sense, not even for a Juve used to dominating: a 7-0, however, is too much even for them.
Thanks to a day in which everyone performed at their best and an even embarrassing Sassuolo, completely inadequate in front of a lady in great shape. The balance, if we can talk about it, lasted less than 10 minutes: in the 9th minute, in fact, Alex Sandro beat Consigli for the first time with a close tap-in.
From then on it was Juve show and everyone really attended the party: Khedira (brace in the 24th and 27th minute), Pjanic (splendid rebound shot in the 38th minute) and Higuain, author of a hat-trick in the second half (63', 73' and 83'). Even in Turin however, just like in Benevento, a negative note to tarnish the day: Matuidi stopped with a muscle problem and will miss Tottenham.
Important absence, which adds to those of Dybala and Cuadrado and which can complicate Allegri's plans, aware of how much the European appointment matters for the whole Juve world. “Unfortunately that's the way it is but somehow we'll do it – confirmed the Juventus coach. – Before the Champions League, however, we have to think about Florence, as always it will be a tricky away game. It was important to win against Sassuolo, our first goal remains the seventh consecutive Scudetto”.
A dream, the tricolor one, to which Napoli also aspires. And the battle, this time, promises to stay alive until the end.
