Meret and Anguissa hail Napoli ‘character’ after victory over Juventus

epa11852755 Napoli’s midfielder Frank Anguissa celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs Juventus Football Club at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, 25 January 2025. EPA-EFE/CIRO FUSCO

Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Alex Meret hail the Napoli ‘character’ that allowed them to turn the game around to end this Juventus unbeaten primato. ‘We know we can always score goals.’

It was a frantic encounter at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, a world away from the 0-0 draw the last time these teams crossed paths in Serie A.

Randal Kolo Muani had put Juve in front with only his sixth touch in Italian football, having arrived on loan from Paris Saint-Germain this week.

However, Anguissa’s header and the Romelu Lukaku penalty turned it all around to give Napoli another huge victory in the race for the Scudetto.

“Napoli-Juve is always a special game here in Naples. We wanted to win, we did it and are so happy,” Anguissa told DAZN.

This was Anguissa’s fifth goal of the season, already more than the three he got in the Scudetto-winning campaign, so what has changed for the midfielder?

“The coach always tells me I can score more goals and it is going very well, but the most important thing is that the team wins. It is great to see a team that is losing 1-0 against a tough side to beat like Juve that then turns it around for the victory.

“We know that we are a strong team, but we take it one game at a time with humility and solidity. We know that we have character and are hard to beat.”

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While Anguissa was named Serie A MVP, Meret was by his side for the post-match interviews.

“Juve were unbeaten so far and that was not a fluke, as they are a very well-organised team, but we came here to win as we always have this season,” Meret told DAZN.

“They took the lead before half-time, that could’ve caused us problems, but we turned it around and this can be a very important victory for our season.”

It is the fourth time Napoli have turned a losing situation into success this season, a sign of their determination.

“It is a sign of our great spirit of sacrifice and also our confidence, because we know that we can always score goals. We kept our heads up, remained focused and turned the match around that is wonderful for all the fans.”

Meret made a sensational reaction save to deny Kenan Yildiz in the opening minutes, rushing off his line to parry one-on-one.

“It was all instinct, it was a bit desperate and I flung himself at him, fortunately he aimed it that way. It could’ve been a heavy blow to concede that early.”

While it is easy to assume Conte fired his Napoli players up for this huge fixture, the goalkeeper reveals it was a soft approach instead.

“The coach left us pretty much alone compared to how he usually prepares, he just had a few tactical pointers to play out from the back. The coach has great faith in us, we have faith in him, and together we can achieve great things.”