Juventus played for a draw, but Napoli and Kalidou Koulibaly ensured it's game on for the title race, not game over, writes Giancarlo Rinaldi
It looked for all the world as if Juventus were going to get what they wanted yet again. With two results out of three in their favour, the Bianconeri played for much of their key Scudetto clash with Napoli as if their only desire were a draw. They held it in a loving embrace for almost the entirety of the match - until Kalidou Koulibaly powerfully tore it from their grasp.
Kalidou Koulibaly said Napoli “always believed in ourselves, our style of football, our players and staff” after beating Juventus in a Scudetto showdown.
His last-gasp header on a Jose Callejon corner secured the 1-0 win in Turin, meaning the gap is just one point at the top and they have a perfectly even head-to-head record.
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Dries Mertens and Kalidou Koulibaly could pick up some ‘diplomatic’ yellow cards against Milan tomorrow to ensure they face Juventus.
According to Il Roma newspaper and some social media theories, Mertens and Koulibaly will be tempted to take one for the team.
They are both one yellow card away from suspension and don’t want to run the risk of missing next weekend’s massive match against the Serie A leaders in Turin.
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Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly thought Rafa Benitez’s Napoli call and Diego Armando Maradona wanting his shirt were “a prank.”
The Senegal international spoke to Orange Blog in his home country about his career and future prospects, but also how he almost didn’t make the move to the Stadio San Paolo.
“I hung up on Benitez two or three times, as I thought it was a friend of mine pulling a prank… I didn’t believe he would call me, but it was true. I was so embarrassed and kept apologising.
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Kalidou Koulibaly insists “anyone who doesn’t believe won’t stay in our locker room” after Napoli lost the top spot to Juventus.
The Partenopei picked up one point from their last two games against Roma and Inter, so Juve have leapfrogged them into the leadership role.
On top of that, the Bianconeri have a game in hand to be played against Atalanta on Wednesday.
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Kalidou Koulibaly assures Napoli “are more mature” than the last time they lost at home to Roma.
It kicks off at 19.45 GMT, click here for the line-ups and Liveblog.
“We want to continue along this path. We know it’ll be difficult, because Roma have only lost once on their travels this season, but we’ll do everything to win,” the defender told Sky Sport Italia.
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Arsenal reportedly sent scouts to view Napoli stars Kalidou Koulibaly and Lorenzo Insigne against RB Leipzig.
The Azzurri had gone 1-0 up in the Europa League Round of 32 tie, but were eventually beaten 3-1 at the Stadio San Paolo.
According to Calciomercato.it, Arsenal were present in the stands with talent scouts.
They had apparently been sent to watch centre-back Koulibaly and winger Insigne, both long-term targets for Arsene Wenger.
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Atalanta have been given a one-match closure of the Curva Nord Pisani for racist chanting against Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, but the sentence is suspended for one year.
The centre-back was subjected to the racist chanting in Sunday’s win at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia.
It was also alleged that a bottle was thrown at him, but today’s disciplinary report has only sanctioned the Orobici for the racism offences.
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Kalidou Koulibaly was reportedly subjected to racism during Napoli’s 1-0 win against Atalanta and had a bottle thrown at him.
According to Corriere dello Sport, the bottle was ‘presumably’ thrown from the Atalanta curva and then given to referee Daniele Orsato by Koulinbaly’s teammate Allan.
The newspaper adds racist chants were soon heard in the defender’s direction.
“Koulibaly agitated by the racist chants? I think the anger has passed now,” Coach Maurizio Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.
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Kalidou Koulibaly discusses Simone Verdi’s decision to stay at Bologna - “if you don’t come to Napoli gladly, it’s better not to come at all”.
The Partenopei wanted to sign the Italian international this month, but he declared that he wanted to stay with the Rossoblu, at least until the summer.
“It’s his choice and we have to respect it,” Koulibaly told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.
“If you don’t come to Napoli gladly, it’s better not to come at all.”
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