Juventus hit back at Napoli for “trying to create controversy out of nothing” with their reaction to Claudio Marchisio’s comments.

The midfielder told the Corriere della Sera that he felt “antipathy” towards Napoli and was particularly fired up when playing against them.

The Southern club responded with a statement criticising his “grave insult to Napoli and to Italian football,” demanding clarification.

That arrived this evening with a statement on the official Juventus website.

“Claudio Marchisio expressed an opinion during an interview with the Style section of the Corriere della Sera.

“This opinion was clearly referring to the healthy sense of competition that has seen Napoli and Juventus take part in fiery and spectacular matches.

“There was no offence: failing to comprehend that means trying to create controversy out of nothing.”