It's not been easy for Italian teams not called Juventus in the last six years with the Old Lady being the best team in Italy by quite some way. This season Napoli have taken them quite far but Gianluigi Donnarumma might have ended their hopes.
For six seasons in a row Juventus has won Serie A. With AC Milan and Inter Milan no longer there to chase them for the title it has largely been down to Napoli to give anyone hope.
This season has arguably been the Napoleons best chance of winning their first league title since Diego Maradona helped them win 28 years ago in 1990.
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For a good while they led Juve and until recently they were neck and neck with Max Allegri's side. Last weekend could have been the end of their title push as they trailed Chievo Verona with just minutes left.
Two late goals saw them overcome that result and keep the title race alive. Today they faced AC Milan whose form has improved under Gennaro Gattuso and they were being held at 0-0 heading into added time and needed another late goal, this time though they were denied by an incredible Donnarumma save:
Ridiculously Donnarumma was starting in his 100th Serie A game aged just 19 and has quickly become one of the best and most sought after keepers in world football, often linked with the likes of Juve, PSG and Real Madrid.
The result leaves Napoli now three points behind their rivals for the title but Juve have a game in hand which they play this evening at home against Sampdoria.
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Another problem for Napoli is that Juventus no longer have European football to think about after they were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in midweek so they can concentrate on the league.
The plus for the chasing side is that the Old Lady still have to face Roma and Inter Milan as well as the clash between Juve and Napoli next weekend before the end of the season.
Of course none of that might matter after Donnarumma's brilliant save.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Serie A, AC Milan, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Juventus, Napoli, Italy
