Juventus v Napoli preview: Spalletti and Allegri meet in big clash

📰 Juventus and Napoli, each led by the other's former coach, meet in a Serie A heavyweight clash on 1 November. 📌 Key points 🗓️ Juventus host Napoli on Sunday 1 November. 🏟️ The Milan derby between AC Milan and Inter is the night before, on 31 October. 💰 Juve CEO Giovanni Carnevali says missing the top four would be a "bloodbath". 📉 Napoli's 7 points from five games is their worst start in a decade. 🗣️ Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has suggested scrapping half-time. 📝 What happened 💰 Juventus finished sixth last season after Roma and Como overtook them late on, missing out on the Champions League. Damien Comolli stepped down as CEO and Giovanni Carnevali replaced him. On 2 October Carnevali said a top-four finish "gives you financial guarantees… otherwise it's a bloodbath", making a return to the Champions League the minimum target. Juve had 10 points from their first five games, seventh in the table. 📉 Napoli, under Massimiliano Allegri, took 7 points from their first five games, their worst start since 2015-16, and lost their Champions League opener 1-0 at home to Arsenal. 🗣️ Off the pitch, De Laurentiis made headlines at an event in Rome on 1 October by asking why half-time has to last 15 minutes and whether it could be shorter or scrapped, arguing that young viewers at home will reach for their phones during the break. 📊 By the numbers • After five games: Juventus 10 points (7th), Napoli 7 points (9th) • Juventus last season: 6th, no Champions League • Kick-off day: Sunday 1 November, the day after the Milan derby 👀 What to watch 🧠 Coaches' derby — Juve's Luciano Spalletti once led Napoli to the Serie A title, while Allegri spent years in charge of Juventus. Both know their opponents inside out, so expect a tactical chess match. 🩹 Napoli's absentees — Scott McTominay is recovering from a heart procedure and Alessandro Buongiorno has a knee injury. Whether either is back in time could be decisive. 📈 Table stakes — Juve need the points to push into the Champions League places; Napoli need a turning point. The loser risks falling further off the pace. 🔥 Momentum — Napoli start October at home to Frosinone and will arrive in Turin after a month of fixtures. This game will show whether Allegri has turned things around. 🔭 Why it matters This could shape the early-season picture. A Juve win would boost their Champions League ambitions; a Napoli win would quieten the doubts around Allegri. The match is on Sunday 1 November 2026.