Direct clash or championship clash? The first meeting of the season between Juventus and Napoli (20.45 pm) offers a double reading: perhaps more logical to identify it as a "simple" step in the top classification, yet this one makes us understand how much the points up for grabs count. This is especially true for the Azzurri, who are currently 4 points behind the Bianconeri: many but not too many, all right, but if they became 7 then things would become a bit different… “It's only the eleventh day, it can't be decisive for the championship – glossed over Massimiliano Allegri. – The direct clashes in the first round are not like those of the second leg, things are defined in March. That's why I always say that balance is needed, let's not forget that exactly one year ago we lost against Sassuolo and we were 12th in the standings, then you've seen where we've come. Having said that, it's an important match, not to be missed." Yes, because both Juve and Napoli are always particularly keen on beating each other. This year then, to the usual atavistic rivalry and the importance of the standings, the Higuain case has been added to spice up the evening. Since Pipita left Vesuvius to move under the Mole, the match has taken on an even more important value, even if the maximum pathos will probably be reached at the San Paolo in the second round. Among other things, the Argentine is going through a lackluster moment: the goal has been missing for 4 games, a normal figure for any player, almost a record (negative of course) for someone like him, who had accustomed us to very different rhythms . “He has already scored 7 goals and in any case it can happen that he doesn't score for a few games – thought Allegri. – In recent days I have seen him serene, he must be grateful to Napoli for what they have given him just as the Azzurri fans must be grateful to him".
However, things are not quite like this: an appeal to the players not to say hello to him has been all the rage for days on the web (in reality, relations with old teammates are excellent) and De Laurentiis' words ("he's afraid of us") have no certainly helped to soften the tone. But Juve-Napoli will not be just Higuain: there are many technical ideas and it is reasonable to expect an open challenge, although the last precedent (1-0 goal by Zaza) certainly did not go down in history for the show. “I congratulate Sarri for the excellent work he has done – continued Allegri. – His is one of the best Italian teams for express play, he knows how to do both the offensive and defensive phases very well”. The Juventus coach will try to beat it relying on the classic 3-5-2, with Buffon in goal, Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini in defense, Lichtsteiner, Khedira, Marchisio (ballot with Hernanes, it will depend on his conditions), Pjanic and Alex Sandro in midfield , Higuain and Mandzukic up front. On the Naples front, usual silence on the eve (by now Sarri's press conferences are just a distant memory) and a great desire to take revenge on last season. The victories against Crotone and Empoli have brought confidence and serenity back into the group, so the coach, forced to do without Gabbiadini for the second and final day of disqualification, will be able to count on the eleven type. Napoli in the Stadium version will play with the usual 4-3-3 with Reina in goal, Hysaj, Maksimovic, Koulibaly and Ghoulam in the back, Allan, Jorginho (favorite over Diawara) and Hamsik in the midfield, Callejon, Mertens and Insigne in the offensive trident.
