Juventus v Napoli: Spalletti under pressure after Genoa loss as banned Allegri returns to Turin

Juventus host Napoli at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Sunday 1 November with both clubs level on 14 points, after a midweek in which Luciano Spalletti's side lost 2-0 at Genoa and Napoli won 4-1 at Monza. Kick-off is 8.45pm Italian time, which is 3.45am on Monday 2 November in Malaysia (MYT). Napoli will again be without coach Massimiliano Allegri on the touchline as he serves a suspension.

Juventus stunned at Marassi

Juventus were beaten inside the first half on Wednesday 28 October. Kingsley Ehizibue put Genoa ahead in the 12th minute, his shot from Tommaso Baldanzi's cutback taking a heavy deflection off Andrea Cambiaso into the top corner. Baldanzi then finished a quick counter in the 28th minute. Juventus had chances to respond, with Pierre Kalulu missing from close range before half-time and Teun Koopmeiners hitting the crossbar, but Daniele De Rossi's side held on for their first win over Juventus since May 2022.

It was Juventus's third league defeat of the season and left them eighth, 11 points behind joint leaders Inter and Lazio. The reaction at the club was swift. Juventus chief executive Giovanni Carnevali met the players at the Continassa training centre, and the squad has been kept together there in a retreat from Friday 30 October until the Napoli match, according to JuveFC.com. Carnevali was reported to have said the coaching staff retained the club's trust while demanding a strong response on the pitch.

Napoli bounce back at Monza

Napoli's 4-1 win at Monza on the same night eased some pressure after a 3-3 draw with Roma. Rasmus Hojlund scored after 10 minutes to end an eight-match goal drought, and after Monza's Varela equalised in the 43rd minute, Matteo Politano, Rafa Marin and Kevin De Bruyne added second-half goals. Napoli moved seventh, ahead of Juventus on goal difference.

The win came at a cost. Midfielder Stanislav Lobotka was carried off with an ankle injury, and Tuttosport reported that scans showed syndesmosis damage and a ligament tear, with a recovery time of five to seven weeks. That likely rules him out until mid-December.

Allegri back in Turin - from the stands

Allegri, who coached Juventus across two spells, was given a two-match touchline ban and a 10,000 euro fine after being sent off late in the Roma draw. The Monza game was the first match of the ban, and assistant Marco Landucci took charge. Napoli said they would appeal, but Italian reports on Friday indicated Landucci would again be on the bench in Turin. If the ban stands, Allegri's first match back on the touchline would be the home game against Lazio on 8 November.

Spalletti, for his part, faces the club he led to the Scudetto in 2023, adding another storyline to a fixture already full of them.

Team news and head-to-head

Sports Mole lists a long Juventus absentee list including Kenan Yildiz, Manuel Locatelli, Francisco Conceicao and Khephren Thuram. Napoli, as well as Lobotka, are without Alessandro Buongiorno, David Neres and Leonardo Spinazzola among others. Napoli have won five of the last eight Serie A meetings, including a 3-0 win in January, but Juventus have won 11 of the last 15 meetings in Turin.

Elsewhere this weekend, AC Milan host Inter in the Milan derby on Saturday (3.45am Sunday MYT), while Lazio entertain Cagliari on Sunday.

Key takeaways

• Juventus v Napoli kicks off at 8.45pm in Italy on Sunday 1 November, 3.45am Monday in Malaysia.
• Juventus lost 2-0 at Genoa on 28 October; Napoli won 4-1 at Monza the same night.
• Both teams have 14 points, 11 behind joint leaders Inter and Lazio.
• Allegri is serving the second game of a two-match touchline ban unless an appeal succeeds.
• Lobotka is expected to miss five to seven weeks with an ankle injury.

FAQ

Q: What time is Juventus v Napoli in Malaysia? A: 3.45am MYT on Monday 2 November (8.45pm in Italy on Sunday 1 November).

Q: Why is Allegri not on the Napoli bench? A: He was banned for two matches after being sent off in Napoli's 3-3 draw with Roma. Napoli appealed, but reports on Friday said assistant Marco Landucci would take charge again.

Q: Who scored for Genoa against Juventus? A: Kingsley Ehizibue and Tommaso Baldanzi, both in the first half of a 2-0 win.

Sources: FotMob, Football Italia, JuveFC.com, Tuttosport, Sports Mole, Goal