A game Antonio Conte described as a “bonus” ended in a 2-2 draw against Genoa, leaving a sour taste after his team had taken the lead in both halves. However, he wasn’t ready to hit the panic button just yet. “We needed seven points to secure the Scudetto,” he noted, “and we’ve only got one, so now we have to win our last two matches.”
It seemed straightforward, but history reminded us that it rarely is. Many viewed the matchup against Genoa as one of the easier remaining challenges for Napoli.
Confidence was high in Conte’s squad. Before the match, Scott McTominay handed out the Serie A player of the month award, and not long after, Romelu Lukaku scored to put Napoli 1-0 ahead. The first equalizer for Genoa felt like a fluke; an attempted header by Alex Mellet bounced off the post and landed right in front of the goal.
Things seemed to turn in Napoli’s favor in the second half when McTominay set up Giacomo Raspadori to make it 2-1. However, just as it seemed they were gaining momentum, Genoa’s substitute full-back, Aaron Martin, sent a cross into the Napoli area, resulting in Johann Vazquez scoring the equalizer in the 84th minute.
Conte often reminds everyone that his team was tenth last season, and he reiterated that point once more after this game. “We were just two steps away from something incredible, something no one expected at the beginning,” he said.
While Napoli’s summer spending approached 150 million euros and the lack of European football probably helped, the credit still has to go to Conte for keeping the title chase alive despite injuries, like the one suffered by Kvicha Kvaratzkelia.
Yet, some observers felt that Conte may have mismanaged player fitness. Stanislav Lobotka was thrust back onto the field less than a week after rolling his ankle, only to exit the game just ten minutes in. It’s not the first time he’s faced criticism for prematurely rushing players back into action.
But was it a mistake or merely misjudgment? Genoa’s manager, Patrick Vieira, was asked if he felt any rivalry against his former team Inter. He simply stated their goal was to “gather points.”
This weekend highlighted one crucial takeaway: it’s premature to count any chickens before they hatch. Juventus thought they were on the verge of securing Champions League football but were denied by a last-minute equalizer from Lazio’s Mattias Vescino.
As the teams head into the final rounds, they were level on points at 63. With Bologna losing to Milan and Roma facing a tough match against Atalanta, the situation remains murky.
Juventus’ struggles have been apparent since Igor Tudor took over in March, trying to patch the gaps left from previous management. Despite a more aggressive approach, his performance metrics don’t show significant improvement.
Against Lazio, they almost took the lead with a decisive penalty, but fortune was fleeting. A series of miscommunications allowed Lazio to equalize. They’re now able to seize a crucial moment for themselves while putting friction into the race for the Champions League spot.
Amid the chaos, Juventus remains in contention for the final Champions League position, aided by head-to-head advantages against rivals Rome and Lazio.
The season’s conclusion looks tantalizingly unpredictable. Speculation surrounds whether Juventus will keep Tudor or make a shift, especially as they prepare for the Club World Cup. Rumors are even swirling about potentially reacquiring Conte to resurrect their past glory, hinting at the dramatic twists still to come this season.
