Napoli and Milan held as Juventus stride on
Saturday, December 7, 2013
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SSC Napoli were frustrated in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Udinese Calcio to lose ground on Juventus at the Serie A summit following the leaders' Friday win while AC Milan were also held.
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SSC Napoli were frustrated in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Udinese Calcio to lose ground on Juventus at the Serie A summit.
On Friday night Juventus defeated Bologna FC 2-0, Arturo Vidal and Giorgio Chiellini securing a seventh straight league win ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Galatasaray AŞ that leaves them six points clear, at least until AS Roma host ACF Fiorentina on Sunday.
Napoli – who like Juve have a must-win UEFA Champions League group game in midweek, hosting Arsenal FC on Wednesday – could have ended tonight level in second with Roma but drew despite leading 2-0 through two Goran Pandev goals and then 3-2 against Udinese, Dušan Basta pouncing after an 80th-minute corner to ensure a draw. Only nine minutes earlier Blerim Džemaili had restored Napoli's lead seconds after a Bruno Fernandes equaliser.
AC Milan, who themselves need a point at home to AFC Ajax on Wednesday, are fully 22 adrift of Juve in eighth after being held 2-2 at AS Livorno Calcio. Mario Balotelli gave Milan an early lead but Luca Siligardi and Paulinho struck either side of half-time. Balotelli's stunning 83rd-minute free-kick levelled but he hit the crossbar just before full time.
