With no Italy in the World Cup draw Neapolitans were looking for a little joy and Friday night escapism but were again left feeling blue by their former striker
If Italians were looking to be distracted from a World Cup draw taking place without them on Friday, they had no shortage of options. In fact, some were aggrieved at an excess of watchable TV. Napoli’s game against Juventus had been scheduled at the same time as new episodes of Gomorrah. Such was the outcry that Sky wound up making the latter available on-demand from breakfast time so viewers would not have to choose.
In Naples, this was not truly a dilemma. As popular as Roberto Saviano’s crime drama has become, it could not compete with the biggest game of the Serie A season so far. Napoli-Juventus is always a high-profile fixture, but this edition felt even more consequential than usual. Top of the table and unbeaten after 14 games, the Partenopei could move seven points clear of the reigning champions with a win.
Related: Juventus close gap at the top as Gonzalo Higuaín returns to haunt Napoli
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