Juventus v Napoli: how they compare
Friday, February 12, 2016
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Champions Juventus welcome league leaders Napoli in a huge Serie A game on Saturday; UEFA.com's Paolo Menicucci compares the title rivals across the pitch.
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Italy's top two meet on Saturday, with Juventus looking to overhaul Napoli's two-point lead at the top of the table with a 15th successive league victory – leaving them two short of the Serie A record of 17. Napoli for their part are on an eight-game winning streak as they chase their third league title – and first since 1989/90. UEFA.com compares the sides, line by line.
Defence
After 24 matches, Juventus have the best defensive record in Serie A with just 15 goals conceded; Napoli are the second best with 19 goals against.
Juve's stats are no surprise. Massimilano Allegri's team are a well-oiled machine, keeping things equally tight with a three-man defence or a back four. Giorgio Chiellini's calf injury could be a problem, though, as goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon comes into the game seeking a sixth straight clean sheet. "I have enough players to cover for Chiellini," Allegri said. Meanwhile, flying left-back Alex Sandro – who is job-sharing with Patrice Evra – is becoming a lethal attacking weapon.
Napoli's rearguard has improved drastically this season under Maurizio Sarri. Known for his attention to detail, including the use of drones during training, the 57-year-old has transformed a previously porous defence, Kalidou Koulibaly probably benefiting most from Sarri's work. "We work hard for him," said the centre-back. "We are doing well but there is still a lot to learn."
Midfield
Following the departures of Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, Allegri's side wobbled at the beginning of term when Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira were injured, losing four of their first ten Serie A fixtures. Their versatility and tactical awareness allows Paul Pogba to play with freedom and show all his immense talent. Khedira, tellingly, has yet to lose since joining last summer. Should he fail to overcame a thigh problem in time for the Napoli match, Stefano Sturaro will deputise.
Napoli's midfield is just as strong. Allan is fulfilling the promise that prompted Napoli to sign him from Udinese, while Jorginho is shining as a deep-lying playmaker. Sarri is also getting the best out of Marek Hamšík. "Having a wide attacker always ready to help in defence certainly makes everything easier for me," the Slovakia midfielder explained, citing the virtues of a 4-3-3 system in which wingers José Callejón and Lorenzo Insigne pick up the slack.
Attack
Brought in from Palermo to replace Carlos Tévez, 22-year-old Paulo Dybala has already scored 13 goals, becoming a crowd favourite for his lethal left foot, winning mentality and consistency. Allegri cannot call on Mario Mandžukić (injured) but Álvaro Morata is on form after an indifferent start to the campaign. "It was a difficult period for me," the Spanish forward admitted. "I hope it doesn't happen again."
Gonzalo Higuaín, meanwhile, has already notched 24 goals in as many Serie A games for Napoli – a huge total given 22 were enough to top the scoring charts in each of the last two Italian seasons. A new diet may have helped sharpen up the former Real Madrid hitman, though Napoli's attacking prowess – 53 goals to Juve's 45 – is not entirely down to him, Callejón and Insigne contributing much in terms of creativity, goals and hard work.
From the bench
Both Allegri and Sarri have options that can change a match. If he does not start him, Allegri knows Juan Cuadrado can come off the bench to create something out of nothing with his pace and dribbling. The same goes for Napoli's Dries Mertens, a super sub for Sarri with his inventiveness and nose for goal.