Looking at Cristiano Ronaldo’s record against Napoli
- Owen Thompson
- 11 February 2021
After scoring in the Supercoppa Italiana final a few weeks ago, Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus face Napoli once more - this time in Serie A. Here's how CR7 has fared previously against Gli Azzurri.
Completing another successful week of his decorated career, Cristiano Ronaldo's first-leg brace against Inter Milan was enough to send Juventus through to the Coppa Italia final.
Following a goalless second leg, the Old Lady advanced through with a 2-1 aggregate victory, as collectively they aim to win their 13th trophy in their 19th final, and CR7 looks to obtain the 32nd piece of silverware in his career.
The victory came just three days after the prolific Portuguese forward opened the scoring to seal a 2-0 win away at Roma, as Juve won their fourth league game in the last five to go seven points behind league leaders, AC Milan.
Next up for Juventus is a home clash with Napoli at the Allianz Stadium - the exact same fixture that contested the final of the Supercoppa Italiana, Ronaldo settled the final that day and he'll be keen to decide Saturday's fixture too.
Napoli fell to a disappointing defeat last weekend as they lost 2-1 to Genoa at the Luigi Ferraris stadium due to a first-half Goran Pandev brace, and will look to avoid a second straight defeat with an upset in Turin this weekend.
Ronaldo has an impressive record against the Naples outfit, both domestically and in Europe, let's take a closer look.
Stat Attack
Ronaldo has played the Naples natives eight times in his career, boasting six victories and just two defeats - boasting a 75% win ratio.
Two of these wins came in both his appearances against the club for Real Madrid, with the other four - and both losses - coming in a Juventus shirt.
Juventus have a higher win percentage than their opponents in the fixture with 83 wins in 174 games (47%) with the Diego Maradona Stadium natives winning 42 (24%) and the two teams drawing 49 times.
With four goals and five assists to his name, Ronaldo averages one goal contribution every game against the opposition, although not his best return against a single club, he has had a number of crucial performances against Gli Azzurri.
His recent victory in the Supercoppa Italiana against Napoli was his first domestic trophy victory over his opponents, could a victory on Saturday mean he takes a crucial step towards another trophy this seaon?
Five best matches
Juventus 3-1 Napoli
Serie A
September 29, 2018
Despite not getting on the scoresheet, a rampant Ronaldo assisted every Juventus goal as they came from behind to win.
The trio of assists combined with an impressive all-round performance were rewarded with a Man of the Match award.
Overturning Dries Mertens' opener, the Portuguese superstar provided twice for Mario Mandzukic and once for Leonardo Bonucci in a resounding victory.
Juventus 4-3 Napoli
Serie A
August 31, 2019
In one of the craziest Italian games of the decade, Juventus edged past Napoli in a seven-goal thriller despite throwing away a three-goal lead.
Ronaldo was on hand to chip in with his side's third, converting a Douglas Costa cross from close range on his weaker left foot.
With the scores level at 3-3 in stoppage time, Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly put the ball in his own net, to gift Ronaldo and co. another famous victory over their domestic rivals.
Napoli 2-1 Juventus
Serie A
January 26, 2020
A late goal from Cristiano wasn't enough to snatch a point as his team fell to an away victory in Naples.
Following two second-half goals from the home side, the number seven converted in the 90th minute with a close-range lob, to give the visitors a slim foothold in the game.
With the forward inspiring the team late on, they almost grabbed a remarkable equaliser through an acrobatic effort from Gonzalo Higuain, but it wasn't meant to be on the night.
Real Madrid 3-1 Napoli
Champions League round of 16, first leg
February 15, 2017
A lively Ronaldo played a key part in a convincing Real victory as they comfortably defeated Napoli in the Spanish capital.
Having created a handful of chances in the first half, he was rewarded with an assist five minutes into the second.
After a trademark run down the right wing, he found Toni Kroos on the edge of the box, who slotted home with a cool finish.
Juventus 2-0 Napoli
Supercoppa Italiana final
January 20, 2021
Cristiano Ronaldo holds the Supercoppa Italiana trophy after beating Napoli 2-0 in January 2021
Scoring the opening goal of the fixture, CR7 inspired a ninth Supercoppa Italiana victory for Juventus, as he broke the deadlock in the second half, as the Old Lady triumphed 2-0.
After they dominated a goalless first half, Ronaldo scored the 763rd goal of his career with a close-range volley, to become the highest scoring footballer of all time, overtaking legendary Czech forward, Josef Bican.
Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne missed a crucial opportunity to level the affair but missed his penalty with less than ten minutes to go.
Putting the final nail in Gli Azzurri's coffin, Alvaro Morata scored a second in injury time as Juventus celebrated another trophy victory and their forward becoming the greatest goalscorer of all time.
Tip of the fixture
Ronaldo to be the first goalscorer and Juventus to win is priced at 4.4/1 on Paddy Power.
(Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change).
