Juventus beats Napoli in final match before AZ visit

Juventus beat Napoli 2-0 with Kerim Alajbegovic scoring his first Serie A goal; Napoli reduced to 10 men after Marianucci's red card.

Juventus defeated Napoli 2-0 on Sunday evening in a crucial Serie A clash. Both teams entered the match level on 14 points from nine rounds and needed victory to close the gap on sixth-placed Frosinone.

Kerim Alajbegovic, the 19-year-old Bosnian winger signed from Bayer Leverkusen for €32 million in August, opened the scoring in the 70th minute. After receiving the ball from Edon Zhegrova, Alajbegovic struck from 20 metres with his left foot, the ball deflecting off the inside of the post past Alex Meret for his first Serie A goal.

Napoli's task became impossible when Luca Marianucci received a second yellow card and was sent off shortly after. Sam Beukema came on as a substitute for the visitors. Juventus extended their lead to 2-0 when Jérémie Boga cut in from the left and finished into the far corner. Juventus now prepares for a Europa League match at AZ Alkmaar, while Napoli faces FC Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday.