Juventus Vs Napoli: Focus On Shifting Torino Not Antonio Conte Reunion

Juventus are ready to serve Napoli to hunt down the leader of Italian Serie A standings Torino. (X/@juventusfc)

JAKARTA - Juventus doesn't care about the arrival of former player and coach Antonio Conte. Juve only focused on winning the match as well as shifting Torino when they hosted Napoli, which is now being handled by Conte in the Italian Serie A competition at the Allianz Stadium, Saturday, September 21, 2024 evening WIB.

Juve focused on improving performance in order to hunt down the third victory in the domestic competition. Coach Thiago Motta had to work hard to make improvements after Juve drew in the last two matches. They were detained by AS Roma and Empoli with the same score 0-0.

The result was seen when Juve finished PSV Eindhoven 3-1 in the Champions League match. This victory became Bianconeri's valuable capital while serving Napoli.

The match is Motta's next test that has not been able to bring Juve to beat the Serie A elite team after failing to win at home to Roma.

Napoli is definitely not Juve's light opponent. Moreover, now I Partenopei is handled by Conte who achieved success when he became the pillar of the midfield and then coach Juve. As a player, Conte brought Juve to win the Italian League five times and once the Champions League.

While handling the team, Conte won the Scudetto three times from 2011/2012 to 2013/2014. Juve continued to dominate when Conte was replaced by Masssimilian Allegri.

"My past was clear, 13 years as a player at Juve and then captained for several years. We won many trophies. I also had the opportunity to become coach for three years. And it started a series of nine Scudettos in a row," said Conte, who last came to Allianz while dealing with Inter Milan. It's just that, the team competed without spectators due to the Covid pandemic.

"I have become a part of Juve's history because of what I have given to the club. Likewise the club has given everything to me," he said again.

"Now, I enjoy dealing with teams like Napoli. This is really proud. Of course I was full of emotion when I returned to this stadium because the last time I came was still in a Covid situation," he said.

On the other hand, Motta is more focused on the match against Napoli than reminiscent about Conte. Motta himself has a close relationship with Conte who has handled him in the Italian national team while competing at Euro 2016. They met once when Conte coached Inter and Motta handled Genoa.

"There is no need to focus on Conte and me," said Motta. "This is Juventus' match against Napoli. And the players are the main actors. I hope our players show the best abilities and bring the results we want," he said.

Juve carried a three-point mission to win the standings which is currently controlled by Torino. Torino's 3-2 victory over Verona made them pocket point 11. Meanwhile, Juve, who is three points adrift, experienced a decline in position.

Juve currently ranks sixth. The tight distance of points makes Juve knocked out of the top four. Meanwhile Napoli, who have nine points, are in third place.

Motta again relied on the Dusan Vlahovic striker who was chasing the second goal. Yes, Vlahovic was infertility and failed to score in the match against PSV. He still scored one goal for 516 minutes playing at La Vecchia hala.

Vlahovic has the support and young star Kenan Yildiz. While in midfield there are Teun Koopmeiners and Nco Gonzalez.

Napoli rests on Romelu striker Lukaku who occupies the central forward position. He is supported by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Matteo Politano.

Juventus Lineup Forecast (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Danilo, Bremer, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Luiz; Gonzalez, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Vlahovic

Napoli (3-4-2-1): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Mazzocchi, Lobotka, Anguissa, Spinazzola; Politano, Kvaratskhelia; Lukaku