Juventus host Napoli at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday, with both sides on 14 points and both short of key figures. Spalletti is missing 7 players, and “Napoli” has lost its suspended coach and midfield organizer Lobotka.
Juventus and Napoli meet on points in the 10th round of Serie A on Sunday at the Allianz Stadium. Both benches will look different. “Napoli” will remain without a head coach, his assistant Landucci will sit on the bench. Spalletti is still without 7 players.
Allegri received a red card in the game in which “Napoli” drew 3:3 with “Roma”. The Serie A referee later fined him for disrespectful remarks towards match officials. The ban covered the trip to Monza on October 28 and now the trip to Juventus. “Napoli” first announced the appeal. Allegri said he feared the ban could extend to four matches. The suspension is now final.
“Napoli” also lost Lobotka in “Monza”. He collapsed after 15 minutes after a challenge with Mangas. A medical update of the club found a tibiofibular syndesmosis injury in the left ankle, without instability. He also has a low-grade anterior talofibular ligament injury. He has started rehabilitation and Napoli aims to return on December 16 against Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia. Badiashile and Neres were also wounded.
Seven absent players leave Spalletti short in the team
The Juventus list is longer. Sky Sport Italia reports that Yıldız is expected to return from foot surgery in early December. Thuram, who underwent knee surgery, will return in early 2027. Locatelli will be sidelined until 2027 after undergoing lateral meniscus surgery. Grabara is effectively out for the season with an ACL injury in his right knee.
Nico Gonzalez (right soleus), Çelik (left thigh knee) and Conceição (dislocated shoulder) will return after the international break. There is a twist. Young striker Ekhator is ready again.
“Juventus” wants answers not from the new head coach, but from the players
“Juventus” came after an uneven run. On October 18, “Lazio” won away from “Juventus” with a score of 3:0. Spalletti’s side then won at Lecce on 25 October with goals from McKennie and Douglas Luiz. Genoa won the next game with goals from Ehizibue and Baldanzi in the first half. Koopmeiners hit the crossbar in stoppage time.
After the defeat of Genoa, the chief executive Carnevali had a long meeting with the staff. He told them to change course immediately, especially to change their mentality. Spalletti then announced that the squad would remain together until the Napoli game on Thursday. The club wants the answer to come from the players on the field, not from a coaching change. Tuttosport reports that John Elkann still supports Spalletti and the coach has no intention of giving up.
This match also saw Napoli, the club he won the title with Spaletti. The last meeting held at the Allianz Stadium in January 2026 ended with a 3:0 victory for “Juventus”. The goals were scored by Jonathan David, Kanan Yıldız and Filip Kostic. A win on Sunday will move Juventus away from direct competition. Spalletti’s pre-match press conference is scheduled for 17:00 on Saturday, October 31, the day before kick-off.