Napoli snatched a crucial win in their race for the Champions League spot as Giacomo Raspadori's last-gasp score helped the Serie A defending champions beat Juventus 2-1 on Sunday.

Juventus' Daniele Rugani (L) vies with Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Juventus in Naples, Italy, on March 3, 2024. (Photo by Augusto Casasoli/Xinhua)

Napoli were unbeaten under new coach Francesco Calzona and entered the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with a 6-1 victory over Sassuolo, while Juve just managed one win in their past five games.

Dusan Vlahovic should have established the lead for Juve in the 34th minute but only saw his lob hit the upright with goalkeeper Alex Meret well-beaten.

The home side broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute when a poor clearance fell for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who swept in a stunning volley.

Juve got back on level terms in the 82nd minute when Federico Chiesa collected the ball in the box and fired home.

However, Napoli shattered Juve's hope in the 88th minute when Raspadori was alert to tap in a loose ball after Victor Osimhen's penalty was denied.

With the win, Napoli leapfrogged Fiorentina to seventh place, eight points adrift of fourth-placed Bologna who rallied to beat Atalanta 2-1 on Sunday, while Juve still rank second, but are 12 points behind Inter Milan who host Genoa on Monday.

Elsewhere, Hellas Verona beat Sassuolo 1-0, Cagliari prevailed 1-0 at Empoli, and Frosinone drew with Lecce 1-1.

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