Napoli’s late comeback and Roma’s away win
Napoli, the reigning champions, overturned a late deficit against visiting Genoa to seal a 2-1 victory, while Roma also earned a precious 2-1 win over Fiorentina on their own turf. The results kept both teams atop Serie A after six rounds, ahead of the marquee Milan–Juventus clash.
Both Napoli, who recovered from their latest defeat to Milan, and Roma rose to 15 points, while Milan sat on 12, staying within reach of the leaders.
At the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in southern Italy, the crowd was stunned by an 18-year-old striker Geoff Ikator’s Rabah Madjer–style backheel inside the box in the 34th minute.
Napoli dominated possession but failed to convert in the first half.
After the break, especially with Kevin De Bruyne coming on for the injured Matteo Politan, the Belgian maestro turned the tide.
From a cross by Leonardo Spinazzola, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa headed home from close range in the 57th minute to level.
The veteran goalkeeper Nicola Leali made key saves and the woodwork helped, but in the 75th Napoli took the lead.
De Bruyne engineered a move that Anguissa struck, saved by the keeper but deflected to Danish teenager Rasmus Höjlund who finished calmly for Napoli’s second.
Since February 2009, Genoa have not won at Napoli.
A fiery showdown
Roma’s Florence win and the league’s top clash
In Florence, all three goals came in the first half, with Fiorentina taking the lead through a thunderous Moise Kean strike in the 14th minute, before Roma replied with Argentine Matias Soule (22) and Bryan Cristante (30).
Kean almost added a second when another shot hit the post in the 38th minute.
Roberto Piccoli struck the crossbar in the 74th, and Fiorentina remained in search of their first league win of the season, with three losses and three draws, sitting 17th.
Clash of the coaches
The top six will also see a tactical duel between Allegri and Juventus’ current coach, the Croatian Igor Tudor.
Allegri’s record against Juventus across his career is not as spotless as his players’ shirts. In his first spell with the club, 271 matches yielded 191 wins, 39 losses and 41 draws, with 524 goals scored to 208 conceded; five consecutive Serie A titles, four Italian Cups, two Super Cups, and two Champions League finals (lost to Barcelona and Real Madrid).
In his second spell, his Juventus record stood at 149 matches, 80 wins, 34 draws and 35 losses, with 223 goals scored and 140 conceded.
Under his management, Juventus won the Coppa Italia in 2023-2024 against Atalanta.
Allegri’s record against Juventus
Across other clubs, Allegri faced Juventus 14 times, recording four wins, eight losses and two draws.
The upcoming match will also be a tactical duel between Allegri and Juventus’ current coach, Igor Tudor.
Punchlines
If wit were goals, De Bruyne would be chasing a hat-trick by halftime. And if you’re ever trailing, just add De Bruyne and watch the backheel magic unfold.
