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Juventus logo
Supercoppa Italiana | Supercoppa Italiana 2014
Dec 22, 2014 at 5.30pm UK
 
Napoli logo

2-2

Tevez (5', 106')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Higuain (68', 1118')
Napoli win 6-5 on penalties

Live Commentary: Juventus 2-2 Napoli - as it happened

Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of the Italian Super Cup match between Juventus and Napoli.
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Napoli came from behind twice to give the Coppa Italia holders victory over Juventus in the Italian Super Cup, winning 6-5 in a penalty shootout.

Carlos Tevez fired the league champions in front twice, but Gonzalo Higuain scored two equalisers to send to game to penalties.

Gianluigi Buffon made three saves in the shootout, but it was not enough as Juve missed four spot kicks.

Read how all the action unfolded below:


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Good evening! The Italian Super Cup, or Supercoppa Italiana gets underway in Doha in around 30 minutes, with league champions Juventus taking on cup winners Napoli. Let's start with a look at the team news...

JUVENTUS STARTING XI: Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra, Pirlo, Marchisio, Pogba, Vidal, Tevez, Llorente

NAPOLI STARTING XI: Rafael, Maggio, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam, Gargano, Lopez, De Guzman, Hamsik, Callejon, Higuain

JUVENTUS SUBSTITUTES: Storari, Rubingo, Ogbonna, Romagna, Padoin, Mattiello, Pepe, Pereyra, Coman, Giovinco, Morata

NAPOLI SUBSTITUTES: Colombo, Andujar, Henrique, Britos, Luperto, Jorginho, Mesto, Radosevic, Inler, Mertens, Romano, Zapata

So both teams have gone with a strong starting lineup for this evening's match. Serie A's top scorer, Carlos Tevez will be leading the attack for the league champions, while Gonzalo Higuain starts up front for Napoli.

Here's the Juventus squad arriving at the stadium a short time ago:


Juventus are making a record-breaking 10th appearance in this evening, and will lift the cup for the seventh time, which will also be a record, if they win this evening. This is Napoli's third appearance, and it is the third time that they have faced Juve. They won the first meeting 5-1 in 1990, but just two years ago lost out 4-2 in Beijing.

This is the first time that the Italian Super Cup has been held in Qatar, but it's nothing new for it to take place outside Italy. Since it was first held in 1988, the match has taken place in Washington DC, Tripoli, Beijing and New Jersey.

Juventus will be looking for their third straight win in this event following wins over Napoli and Lazio respectively in 2012 and 2013. The scorer's of all four goals in Juve's win over Lazio last year start this evening.

Both sides come into this match in reasonable form. Juventus have won four of their last six outings, while Napoli have last just once over the same stretch.

PREDICTION! As the players gather in the tunnel ready to make their way out, there's just time for a quick prediction. Juventus have to start as favourites as their league form has been impressive so far this season. Rafael Benitez have an impressive record in cup finals though, so his side won't make it easy for the Italian champions, so I'm going for a 2-1 win for Juve this evening.

The players have just made their way out ready for kickoff, so the action should be underway in the next few moments.

KICKOFF! Juventus get the match underway.

Juventus almost come unstuck early on as Higuain runs towards the league champions' goal, weaving around a couple of defenders, but the out-of-form striker can't get the shot away. The Argentine plays his way back in a couple of minutes later, but is beaten by Giorgio Chiellini, while Hamsik heads the ball wide from the resulting corner.

GOAL! Juventus 1-0 Napoli (Carlos Tevez)

A horrific mix up between Kalidou Koulibaly and Raul Albiol gifts Carlos Tevez an easy goal. The defenders both try to win the ball after Juventus got forward for the first time, but Albiol can only nod the ball into the path of the striker, who has only Rafael to beat, and easily slots it into the bottom corner.

Juventus are on the attack again as Pirlo finds his way into the box. His path is blocked, but he pulls it out wide for Marchisio, but his cross back in is cleared. Napoli have shows promise on the attack, but they look incredibly shaky at the back, and it looks like the league champions are keen to take advantage.

CHANCE! Lichsteiner makes a run down the right flank again, but he's brought down by a flailing arm from Koulibaly, giving Juventus a free kick near the corner flag. Pirlo pulls it back to Marchisio, whose sprinting in and hits it first time from 20 yards out, but his effort it blocked.

Juventus are suddently under pressure at the back as a run from Jonathan de Guzman catches them out on the counter-attack. He passes to Hamsik, but the captain goes for power over accuracy and blasts the ball into the crowd.

Pirlo sends in another free kick after Arturo Vidal is brought down mid-run in the centre. The midfielder curls it in superbly for Marchicio, but his teammate couldn't quite reach it in time for what would have been a simple tap in.

OFF THE POST! Napoli come within a couple of inches of getting back on level terms as Chiellini tries to knock down a high ball into the box, but it drops kindly for Hamsik, who lashes the ball towards goal, leaving Buffon rooted to the spot, but the upright comes to the keeper's rescue.

Napoli have started to show signs of getting back into the match after being rocked by the early goal. Higuain has the ball on the edge of the box, but he loses out to Paul Pogba, who is back helping out in defence.

CHANCE! Rafael has to make a superb save in order to deny Tevez his second of the match. A long ball forward from Pirlo find the forward, and he smashes in on the half-volley, with the ball swerving around Koulibaly, but Rafael just gets a hand to it.

CHANCE! Tevez is on the attack again as he fired a low effort towards the bottom right corner, but Rafael just gets across to turn it behind for a corner. Chiellini tries to chip it in from the resulting set piece, but Rafael eventually claims it.

Napoli are pressing again after surviving a tricky spell from Juventus, but they just don't seem to have the finishing touch. Hamsik fires just wide, while Gargano loses out to Vidal while looking to get a cross in.

There's an injury concern for the league champions as Stephan Lichsteiner gets his studs caught while looking to turn down the right wing, and appears to have pulled something in his thigh. A quick bit of treatment on the sideline seems to have solved the problem though, and he's quickly back on for Juventus.

CHANCE! Andrea Pirlo has looked pretty lively throughout this first half, and he tries his luck with a volley from around 20 yards out. He doesn't quite catch it right though, and all the power has gone out of the ball by the time it reaches Rafael, leaving the Napoli keeper with an comfortable save.

CHANCE! Higuain continues to push for a Napoli equalises, beating Pogba as he runs towards the goal. He tries to get his shot away from the edge of the box, but he scuffs it to give Juventus an easy clearance, much to the amusement of the mainly Juventus-supporting crowd in Doha. He has another shot a few moments later, but that one ends up in the crowd.

CHANCE! Napoli's defenders really aren't giving Rafael much help. Lichsteiner is given plenty of space and time as he weaves his way through from out wide before trying to slice the ball in from a tight angle, but the Napoli keeper manages to turn it behind, before angrily shouting at the back four.

CHANCE! Jose Callejon wins the ball on the edge of the box, and controls it before blasting a swerving effort towards the Juventus goal, but Buffon's reactions are superb as he leaps to punch it clear.

CHANCE! After the Callejon strike, Juventus give away a free kick just outside the box. After much debate, left-back Christian Maggio steps up to take it, but his effort can't get past the ball, while the rebound is blocked too.

Napoli are loking really dangerous getting forward as half time approaches, but they really haven't forced more than one good save from Buffon yet. The defence has continued to look shaky though.

BOOKING! Gonzalo Higuain picks up a yellow card just before half time for a late challenge on Carlos Tevez.

HALF TIME: Juventus 1-0 Napoli

So Carlos Tevez's early strike separates the two sides at the break in the Italian Super Cup. Rafael has kept Napoli in contention with a string of saves after some defensive errors, but the Coppa Italia champions have shown promise going forward.

Here's what Tevez has had to say at the interval:


Hamsik has shown plenty of attacking intent for the Coppa Italia holders, but Gonzalo Higuain has looked a bit out of sorts. He hasn't scored in Serie A for almost a month, and will have to be careful in the second half after picking up a yellow card.

The players are heading back out ready for the start of the second half.

KICKOFF! After a brief delay while the referee fixes his earpiece, Napoli get the second half underway.

Having survived a bit of a dangerous finish to the first half from Napoli, Juventus seem keen to keep possession and impose themselves at the start of the second period, with Tevez and Vidal both trying to push forward.

Pirlo and Evra play the ball forward before Pogba tries to get involved, but he's floored when he's shoved in the back by Maggio, giving Juventus a free kick just outside the box.

CHANCE! Pirlo takes the free kick, and it's deflected behind for a corner. The veteran curls it back in to the box, where Evra gets nearest to it, but his committed attempt to head the ball in leaves him face down in the goalmouth, having just come up short while jumping for it.

CHANCE! How has missed that?! Pirlo gives the ball away, leaving Callejon to burst into the box, with only Buffon to beat, but somehow he manages the pull the shot wide from just a few yards out. The keeper had dived the wrong way to, so that would have been a certain gloal had his finish been on target.

Napoli get forward again, with Maggio curling the ball in from the right-hand side, but De Guzman stumbles while trying to jump up for the head. David Lopez tries to launch it in from the rebound, but his shot doesn't trouble Buffon.

OFF THE POST! The woodwork comes to Juventus's rescue for the second time in this match as Higuain tries to squeeze the ball in from a tight angle, but is glances the post. De Guzman tries to rush in for another shot, but Bonucci gets their first.

CHANCE! Juventus try to put Napoli back under pressure down the other end, but Rafael is ready to deny Lichsteiner, while the resulting corner is nodded high by a flat-footed Llorente.

Napoli head back down the other end, but Ghoulam's cross intended for Lopez is headed clear by Pogba, who has been defensively excellent this evening. Juventus really haven't been able to hit their stride in the second half, while Napoi are looking increasing likely in front of goal.

The Coppa Italia champions win a free kick around 25 yards out, which De Guzman curls into the box. Albiol tries to head it in, but his looping finish is easily claimed by Buffon.

SUB! Juventus make the first change of the match as Andrea Pirlo is replaced by Roberto Pereyra.

GOAL! Juventus 1-1 Napoli (Gonzalo Higuain)

It feels like Napoli's equaliser has been coming for some time, and they're finally back on level terms as Gonzalo Higuain picks up Maggio's cross into the box before lobbing the finish past Buffon.

BOOKING! Just a few minutes after coming off the bench, Pereyra has picked up a yellow card for clattering into Callejon.

Now is probably an appropriate time to point out that if the scores do finish level after 90 minutes, there will be extra time and, if needed, a penalty shootout. There's still plenty of time for both sides to score a winner though.

Juventus have looked pretty laboured all second half, but they try to put Napoli under pressure in a bid to retake the lead. Tevez gets a shot away, but it lacks any real power and it straight at the keeper.

Lichtsteiner plays the ball into the Napoli box for Llorente, but his header is wide. Juventus have certainly started to see more of the ball since Napoli's equaliser, but they really haven't come close to retaking the lead.

BOOKING! Callejon is shown a yellow card after a late challenge on Patrice Evra, so that's two bookings for Napoli now.

SUB! Napoli make their first change, and it's the captain, Marek Hamsik, who makes way, with Dries Mertens taking his place.

BOOKING! Albiol is the latest player the draw the attention of the referee as he hacks down Tevez while trying to prevent the striker getting in for another shot.

BOOKING! It's all getting a little untidy in the final stages as Mertens picks up a yellow for a heavy collision with Padoin.

Juventus have started to look the more likely to find the late winner in the last five minutes as they've been camped out in the Napoli half, with Vidal and Tevez both pressing forward, but they're not asking too many questions of a Napoli defence that struggled in the first half.

CHANCE! Arturo Vidal has the chance to seal it for Juventus as he's left with a clear shot at goal from the edge of the box. Despite not coming under pressure though, he scuffs the ball well wide. It looks like it could be heading for extra time in Doha.

Juventus are in a promising position again, but Pogba is caught offside, wasting the opportunity.

CHANCE! Llorente plays the ball in again, finding Tevez just a few yards out. He has to get his shot away quick though as defenders are closing in, and he pulls it wide.

Pogba and Llorente are desperately pushing as they try to force a last gasp winner, but it looks like they're out of time.

FULL TIME: Juventus 1-1 Napoli

So it's extra time in the Italian Super Cup after Gonzalo Higuain cancels out Carlos Tevez's first-half goal. After a lively first 45 minutes, the second half never quite lived up to expectations, with Juventus letting Napoli attack, before the Coppa Italia champions switched off late on.

Juventus are probably still the favourites at the minute, they seemed to respond well after falling behind, but will need to up their game to get the better of Rafael, who has been superb between the posts this evening.

SUB! Napoli are making a change ready for extra time as David Lopez is replaced by Gokhan Inler.

KICKOFF! Napoli gets the action back underway.

CHANCE! Juventus try to make an immeidate impact as Pogba plays the ball forward for Tevez, but the striker's hurried effort is well high of the crossbar.

Pogba wins the ball back and is looking to create something again for the Serie A champions, but he overplays his part, putting in too much footwork before trying to cross it in for Tevez, allowing Maggio to clear.

CHANCE! Juventus continue to pile forward, resulting in Pereyra unleashing a shot, but it's just saved. Pogba plays it back in moments later, but his finish doesn't really test Rafael, who claims it with ease.

It really has been all Juventus since the restart, but Pogba's increased role going forward might be more of a hinderence than anything as his finishing has been pretty erratic. Llorente and Pereyra are also looking sharp though, while Napoli are struggling to get out of their own half.

CHANCE! How are Juventus not in front?! Vidal is left unmarked and gets the ball in space when Pogba has an effort saved, but his finish is just wide.

Napoli finally manage to get down the other end, but Inler's weak finish is quickly gathered by Buffon.

BOOKING! Faouzi Ghoulam is shown the yellow card for bringing down Pereyra just before the end of the first 15 minutes of extra time.

EXTRA TIME HALF TIME: Juventus 1-1 Napoli

SUBS! Alvaro Morata replaces Fernando Llorente for Juventus, while Jonathan de Guzman is replaced by Jorginho for Napoli.

KICKOFF! Juventus get the action back underway.

GOAL! Juventus 2-1 Napoli (Carlos Tevez)

A quick burst forward from Pogba sets up Tevez, who hold off a challenge from Koulibaly to get teh shot away, squeezing it under Rafael. Juventus will surely think that they've done enough now.

Dries Mertens tries to get down the other end as Napoli seek another equaliser, but he's quickly outmuscled by the Juventus defenders. Juventus consider a counter-attack, but they seem happy just to keep hold of the ball now.

CHANCE! Higuain times his run superbly to get through on goal, but a superb save from Buffon denied the Argentine his second equaliser of the night.

There's a heart-stopping moment for Juventus as Buffon comes out to try and block a ball into the area, but the chip from Callejon isn't quite high enough, and he just manages to block it.

Napoli certainly haven't give up as Higuain and Maggio team up to put Juventus under pressure at the back again, but they can't test Buffon again.

PENALTY APPEAL! Higuain is desperate for a spot kick as he's man-handled in the box by Chiellini, but the officials aren't interested, much to the striker's dismay.

GOAL! Juventus 2-2 Napoli (Gonzalo Higuain)

Higuain has done it again! The striker gets Napoli back into the game for the second time, and it's just in time as the end of extra time approaches.

FULL TIME: Juventus 2-2 Napoli

The late Higuain equaliser ensures that the Italian Super Cup will be decided by penalties. Napoli will have to fancy their chances as Rafael has made some superb stops in goal already today.

Tevez and Higuain will surely have a penalty each, as they've already proved they can find the target tonight, Vidal should also take one, as he tends to for Juventus in the league.

It looks like it will be Napoli going first...

SAVED! Jorginho steps up to take the first penalty, but Buffon dives the right way and makes the save.

OFF THE POST! Tevez takes the first kick for Juve, but his smashes it into the right upright.

Faouzi Ghoulam gets Napoli off the mark with a shot into the roof of the net.

Arturo Vidal sends the keeper the wrong way to level.

It's a clinical one into the bottom left from Raul Albiol.

Pogba shuffles up to the ball before coolly sending it to the left of the keeper.

Inler smashes the ball past Napoli to keep the pressure of the league champions.

Claudio Marchisio fires into the roof of the net to keep Juventus on level terms.

Higuain scores with ease, leaving Juventus needing the next one to keep themselves in the match.

Morata ties it up again, so after five kicks it's sudden death in the shootout.

Walter Gargano steps up next for Napoli, and scores with ease to keep the Coppa Italia winners ahead.

Bonnuci nearly takes the net off with a powerful penalty to keep Juventus in contention.

SAVED! Dries Mertens' effort is saved by Buffon as the keeper dives the right way, and the penalty wasn't in the corner. Juventus can seal it next.

SAVED! Rafael has been amazing all game and he makes another superb save to keep Chiellini's effort out.

SAVED! Buffon makes a third stop as Callejon's spot kick is correctly predicted by the veteran keeper.

MISSED! Does anyone want to win this? Pereyra steps up but slices his finish wildly high.

Koulibaly ends the run of misses as he sends Buffon the wrong way as he shot goes in off the post.

SAVED! Rafael keeps Padoin's effort out, and that gives them the win.

NAPOLI WIN 6-5 ON PENALTIES!

After 18 penalties, Napoli edge out Juventus in the penalty shootout to win the Italian Super Cup. That's all from this match, but stick around for our match report. Thanks for joining me this evening, goodbye.

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