# Spalletti's Juventus job hangs on the Napoli he made champions

Luciano Spalletti apologised to Juventus supporters after the defeat at Genoa, and he now faces the club he took to the 2023 title with his own position under review. Napoli arrive without Massimiliano Allegri on the touchline, and Stanislav Lobotka, stretchered off at Monza with an ankle injury, is a serious doubt.

Preview · Serie A
Editorial board · 29 October 2026

- Juventus v Napoli
- Kick-off: 2026-11-01 19:45 UTC
- Ground: Juventus Stadium
- Status: To come

Luciano Spalletti began with an apology. After the 2-0 defeat at Genoa he said Juventus owed one to their supporters, then said his players had put too little of everything into the game. It was a third league defeat in nine, and it sends him into a meeting with the club he took to the 2023 title with his own future under review.

Napoli arrive without their manager on the touchline. Massimiliano Allegri, who coached Juventus in two spells, chose not to appeal the two-match ban he earned for his outburst at the referee in the 3-3 draw with Roma. His staff took the first game of it at Monza, and Napoli won 4-1.

Juventus are a lesser side than the one that beat Napoli 3-0 in Turin in January. Kenan Yildiz scored that day, Manuel Locatelli made the opening goal and Khéphren Thuram hit the post. All three are out after surgery, and Francisco Conceição, another starter, has a dislocated shoulder. Spalletti's side have scored eleven league goals in nine games and none in two of their last three.

Napoli have the goals but not the defenders. Rasmus Højlund ended an eight-match drought at Monza and Kevin De Bruyne scored four minutes after coming on. Yet Benoît Badiashile, Leonardo Spinazzola and Alessandro Buongiorno are injured, and Napoli had conceded ten goals in their previous four matches. Lobotka left Monza on a stretcher; Billy Gilmour took his place.

## Our call

If this one is settled at all, it is settled by a single goal, and Juventus are the likelier side to score it while Napoli draw a blank.

## Coming in

Juventus lost 2-0 at Genoa on Wednesday and have 14 points, eleven behind Inter and Lazio. Napoli won 4-1 at Monza the same night to draw level on 14, ahead on goal difference.

## Between them

Juventus won the last meeting 3-0 in Turin in January 2026. The home side has gone unbeaten in each of the last six meetings, and Napoli won all three in Naples 2-1.

## The hinge

If Stanislav Lobotka is ruled out, a Juventus win becomes likelier.

## Missing

Juventus: Kenan Yildiz (foot), Khéphren Thuram (knee), Manuel Locatelli (knee), Kamil Grabara (knee), Francisco Conceição (shoulder), Zeki Çelik (hamstring), Nico González (calf). Doubtful: Jeff Ekhator (hamstring).
Napoli: Benoît Badiashile (thigh), Leonardo Spinazzola (hamstring), Alessandro Buongiorno (knee), Alisson Santos (hamstring), Costantino Favasuli (thigh); coach Massimiliano Allegri (touchline ban). Doubtful: Stanislav Lobotka (ankle), David Neres (thigh).