Sami Khedira celebrates his 30^th birthday today – his second as a Juventus player – but the German’s best gift was supplied by the man himself, surging through the Napoli defence to give us the lead on Sunday night.

Sami’s 10^th goal for the club – more than any other midfielder in the squad in the past two seasons – and overall performance in Naples on his 61^st appearance was a snapshot into what the World Cup and Champions League winner has brought to Juve over the past year and a half.

Composed in possession, intelligent in his movement and a master of tempo, timing and finishing, Khedira’s opening strike on Sunday night was everything you need to know about the Bianconeri’s number six, who has deservedly become an integral part of Massimiliano Allegri’s midfield.

Another timely goal tomorrow night in the same stadium against the same opposition would make his an extended birthday celebration and ours all the sweeter should we reach the Coppa Italia final with his help…

Alles Gute, Sami!

From then…

“Five and a half years on, we can safely say that my opening goal at the Stadium was a turning point for the club. Juve began that season on the back of a tough few years so winning the first game there was so important.

“Knowing what we have gone on to achieve, that game was the start of an amazing journey for the squad.”

…To now

“We are right where we want to be at this stage of the season. We are in the hunt for the Scudetto, we have a great chance to reach the Coppa Italia final in two days’ time and then we take on Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Marathon, not a sprint

“While it is true that we’ve let slip a few points on the road this term, I think we need to keep in mind who those defeats and draws were against. From Milan to Fiorentina, even Napoli last night, all teams who are very difficult to beat.

“We left Naples with a very important point; I think we can all agree that the game didn’t turn out exactly how we wanted it but credit for that must go to Napoli, who played very well and caused us plenty of problems.

“We’re taking the draw as a positive sign that we can battle for results even if we are a bit off colour, which can happen.

Napoli vs. Juventus: Round 2

“We’re coming up against tough opposition with a strong lead to defend. I think we need to score at least once to really be sure of progressing; Napoli ran themselves into the ground yesterday so we may be in for a different kind of encounter on Wednesday.

European ambition

“I had a feeling it we would draw Barcelona: I was playing cards with my dad when I saw the PSG result 6-1 and told him we would meet them in the next round. It wasn’t a surprise for me at all!

“We should be preparing for every opponent as if they were Barcelona with the same intensity and desire: that’s what wins you trophies, keeping your feet grounded and not backing down or dropping off against anyone.

“We’ve won it all in Italy in recent years and, just like the supporters, we want to triumph in the Champions League. Winning that trophy is a dream for any player. We can’t wait for the big night but at the same time we need to be ready for Napoli and Chievo and Pescara in between.”

Dream goal?

“Mine is a simple game: it doesn’t matter how you score. A goal in the UCL final wouldn’t hurt…”

Rodrigo Bentancur has completed his medical this afternoon ahead of a proposed move to Juventus from Boca Juniors.

The Uruguayan midfielder carried out routine tests at J|Medical.

Juventus can be satisfied with the point gained from their trip to Napoli on Sunday night, according to Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Speaking after the game, Chiellini acknowledged the Bianconeri had not been at their best at the Stadio San Paolo, but pointed to Juventus’ six-point lead over Roma as the most important thing to take from the evening.

“With all due respect for our opponents, we’re just focusing on ourselves – on winning the league title,” said Chiellini. “We’re a mature side and we knew how important it was to get something from tonight. We have eight games left now so our destiny is in our own hands.

“We know it wasn’t our best performance of the year, but we’re an intelligent, practical team and we showed our strength tonight. Perhaps we could have kept hold of the ball more and used the counter better, but it’s worth remembering that we didn’t allow Napoli many chances – they have the best attack in the league and are very strong at home. Now we focus on getting through the Coppa Italia semi-final here on Wednesday.”

Chiellini praised the performance of Juventus’ midfield in Naples.

“The five in midfield were very impressive tonight,” he said. “They let virtually no balls through against a team like Napoli, who press you hard. You have to be objective about these things. We could have done a bit more, but we were lacking a very important player in [Paulo] Dybala, who can make things happen. It was a good game, but the most important thing is the result.”

The defender also spoke of his satisfaction at the way the spectacle had been observed at the San Paolo.

“This was the calmest Napoli v Juve of the last 12 years, since I joined Juventus,” he said. “You have to say well done to the authorities and the Napoli fans, who supported their team. There were a few boos, but it was done in good humour. It was just a football match tonight – and that’s the way it should be.”