Napoli brace themselves for a top-of-the-table clash, with Juventus visiting, as the hosts look to extend their lead at the summit.
Napoli, who face Juventus next, were on a solid run until the World Cup break as they kept hold of a solid lead up top. But Inter Milan dealt a blow to their plans with a narrow victory over Luciano Spalletti’s side, which has since opened up the title race a bit, with Juventus steadily climbing up the ladder into second.
Things remain in Napoli’s hands for now, and they could have a better advantage after the early game this weekend against the Bianconeri. The Partenopei can look to extend their advantage at the top but will need a solid performance to back their credentials as title challengers.
🗣 #Spalletti: "When you have as many stellar names as Juventus, you can't not be favourites. Allegri is the best – his track record speaks for itself"
💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/Fxa9n6OxUL
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) January 12, 2023
Since the Inter defeat, Napoli returned to winning ways with a victory over Sampdoria. And they still have the seven-point lead at the summit. But Spalletti will hope for better performances than in recent matchdays. He will want to see their free-flowing form from before the World Cup break as they look to restrict Juventus at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Juventus are writing a different script altogether this season. Many had written them off from a title chase and even top-four finish. Such was their form early in the season. But Massimiliano Allegri has wisely used the patience and faith shown in him to steer the side into a very different position on the table.
Owing to bad results from rivals and keeping up their good form, Juventus have won eight games on the spin to climb into second place. They are still seven points off Napoli, but Allegri will hope to reduce the deficit to four after the next match day.
It is an excellent opportunity for the Bianconeri to climb back firmly into title contention, and Allegri will know the importance of the game. They did leave it late to defeat Udinese in the previous matchday, but all sorts of form and balance will get thrown out of the window for the top-of-the-table clash with Napoli.
Team News & Tactics
Napoli
🔜 Running towards our next challenge!
💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/X0Y07m4XoL
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) January 10, 2023
Luciano Spalletti does not have any new injury concerns after the latest matchday. Hence, any changes that the Napoli manager makes will come from a tactical perspective. Against Sampdoria, the Italian preferred Elif Elmas for Piotr Zielinski. But the Pole is expected back in the eleven for the Juventus clash.
There could be another battle for places, with Mathias Olivera keeping an eye on Mario Rui’s spot in the team. However, the former could keep the left-back role against Juventus, as he has performed well in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, Amir Rrahmani will replace Juan Jesus at the heart of the Napoli defence. Other than that, the rest of the team picks itself, with Alex Meret settled between the sticks. In front of him, a back four of Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Kim Min-jae, Rrahmani, and Olivera will look to keep Juventus quiet.
Napoli will continue to rely on the attacking prowess of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen, with those players involved in more goals this season individually than anyone in Serie A.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Min-jae, Rrahmani, Olivera; Lobotka, Anguissa, Zielinski; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
Juventus
In contrast to Napoli, Juventus come into the game with plenty of problems with many key first-team stars. Unfortunately, Massimiliano Allegri will have to do without a few, with Dusan Vlahovic, Paul Pogba, Leonardo Bonucci, and Juan Cuadrado out of the blockbuster clash.
⚪️⚫️ Strength training ✅💪 pic.twitter.com/iNOm7xixgi
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) January 11, 2023
There are also doubts about Mattia De Sciglio and Gleison Bremer ahead of the game. The duo will go through an assessment period, which could determine their participation. Allegri left Federico Gatti on the bench against Udinese while playing usual full-backs Danilo and Alex Sandro in central defence.
He may recall Gatti into the side and partner him with Daniele Rugani at the heart of the defence, with Danilo forming a part of a back three. However, the move could see Sandro miss out on the game, as Allegri is likely to deploy Weston McKennie and Filip Kostic as wing-backs.
Allegri will also have Angel Di Maria back in the fold after his triumphant return from the World Cup. The Argentine will play a role in the front two alongside Arkadiuz Milik. Federico Cheisa could remain on the bench and become a dangerous option off it during the game. Finally, a midfield three of Adrien Rabiot, Manuel Locatelli, and Fabio Miretti will take charge.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Szczesny; Danilo, Rugani, Gatti; McKennie, Rabiot, Locatelli, Miretti, Kostic; Di Maria, Milik
Key Stats
- Napoli have won five of their last six games in Serie A and lead the charts by seven points.
- Napoli duo Victor Osimhen (12) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (11) have more goal involvements in Serie A than any other player.
- Napoli have scored 59 goals in 23 matches this season across all competitions.
- Juventus have kept 12 clean sheets in 17 games this season, more than any other Serie A side.
- Juventus are the division’s best defensive side, conceding only seven goals, which is also six fewer than league leaders Napoli.
Player to Watch
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
The Georgian attacker is in scintillating form this season and has taken Serie A by storm. The forward is second behind teammate Victor Osimhen for goal contributions this season in Serie A. And it is due to his rapid rise Napoli have been able to climb to the very top of the charts. In addition, the youngster has attracted plenty of European bigwigs.
Napoli have a big task at hand, and they will be eager to increase the gap to Juventus, especially on home soil. Hence, players like Kvaratskhelia must maintain their rhythm and keep the attacking line ticking, as the game against the Bianconeri will come as a big test to determine their characters.
Prediction
Napoli 2-1 Juventus
Many could have expected Napoli to slip up in a game of this magnitude against Juventus. But Luciano Spalletti’s side this season are very different. The Serie A leaders are not at the top by chance or luck, as they are the in-form team in Europe. While Juventus are the best defensive side in the division, Napoli have scored 59 goals in 23 games across all competitions.
They are averaging more than two goals a game, and will come in handy when Napoli meet Juventus. However, there are also key injuries on Massimiliano Allegri’s side. Hence, Spalletti’s men should take full advantage and record a solid victory on home soil.
