Serie A 2025-2026: Juventus-Napoli, the likely lineups
Juventus-Napoli is one of the key matches of the 22nd day of Serie A, scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday. The Bianconeri hosts must get back on track after the defeat in Cagliari: they need the three points to get back into the Champions zone. The fine win in the week against Benfica has restored confidence to Spalletti’s team. The Azzurri are third and coming off a win against Sassuolo in the league and a disappointing draw against Copenhagen in the Champions League: Conte’s team needs to win to avoid losing touch with leading Inter, currently at +9 on the partenopei after Saturday’s victory.
David is still the focal point of Juventus’ attack, in the line of trequartisti there will be Conceiçao, McKennie, Yildiz. Locatelli and Thuram are in the midfield, while Miretti and Koopmeiners sit on the bench. Di Gregorio returns from 1′ Bremer and Kelly are in the center in defense. Spalletti prodded David in the last press conference: “I am pleased with him because he can play soccer, but then he does not have the nastiness and ferocity to say “I will take this ball because it is crucial”: they are all the same to him”.
Conte has lost two more players, Rrahmani and Politano, and is in full emergency. Hojlund will play up front, behind him will be Vergara and Elmas. In midfield Lobotka along with McTominay, while Di Lorenzo and Spinazzola will play on the flanks. Meret is expected to start from 1′ after Milinkovic-Savic’s physical problems. Lukaku will start again from the bench, while Anguissa is still unavailable. Neres operated and out at least three months. “Net of all the absences and fatigue, these games must be won and therefore there’s disappointment and it means that our level right now is not for this competition, having scored only 8 points”, Conte said after the disappointing draw in Champions.
Juventus-Napoli, the probable formations
JUVENTUS (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceiçao, McKennie, Yildiz; David. All. Spalletti
NAPOLI (3-4-2-1): Meret; Beukema, Buongiorno, Juan Jesus; Di Lorenzo, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola; Vergara, Elmas; Hojlund. All. Conte.
