Soccer: Juve regain old fire in title race

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Soccer: Juve regain old fire in title race

By Paul Virgo (ANSA.IT) 17:02, November 13, 2013

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Rome, November 11 - Juventus's 3-0 drubbing of fellow title contenders Napoli on Sunday did more than enable the reigning Serie A champions to close the gap on leaders AS Roma to a point.

The emphatic nature of the result also showed that the Turin giants have regained their old fire.

One of the distinctive characteristics of Antonio Conte's side as it collected back-to-back scudetti last year and in the 2011-12 campaign was their great determination.

This was seen, above all, in their high tempo and ability to press opposing teams when in possession, forcing them to relinquish the ball or make mistakes. This factor seemed to have deserted them in some games so far this season, such as when they surrendered a 2-0 lead in a 4-2 defeat at Fiorentina last month and in some European games.

Juventus are bottom of their Champions League group with just three points from four games, but they still have a reasonable chance of reaching the knock-out stage of the competition after last week's spirited 2-2 draw with Real Madrid at home.

"We played a great team in Napoli," said Conte. "They will join us, Roma, Fiorentina and Inter in fighting all the way for this year's scudetto. "My lads were extraordinary, they put in an excellent performance and emerged victorious in every aspect of this evening's game".

Fernando Llorente set Juve on their way with a goal in the second minute, although the effort should have been disallowed as the Spain forward was a shade offside.

The hosts wrapped things up in the second half with an Andrea Pirlo free kick and a spectacular volley from French midfielder Paul Pogba to take advantage of Roma dropping points by being held 1-1 at home by promoted Sassuolo.

"I've heard people say that Llorente may have been a couple of centimeters offside when he scored the first goal, but coming out with things like that on a night when Napoli's best player was (goalkeeper Pepe) Reina upsets me. "I feel it's trying to take the shine off our great display".

Some pundits said the goalscorers highlighted Juve's smart work on the transfer market. All three players were signed with the club having to pay a transfer fee, as Juve was fast to move in and start courting them when their contracts with their former clubs were close to ending.

Roma, who drew their second consecutive match after setting a new record for the best start to a Serie A season by winning their first 10 games, have 32 points.

Juve have 31 from 12 matches and Napoli, who went into the weekend's fixtures joint-second, are four points off the pace on 28.

Fourth-place Inter Milan have 25 points after beating Livorno 2-0 at the San Siro on Saturday.

Fiorentina are fifth with 24 points following a 2-1 home win over Sampdoria.

AC Milan's poor form continued when they were held to a goalless draw away at bottom side Chievo Verona.

Seven-time European champions Milan are 10th with 13 points, 19 behind Roma.