Napoli will put their Serie A title credentials on the line today in a top-of-the-table clash against Juventus that is reviving memories of Diego Maradona’s fairytale spell at the club.
Napoli have not won the championship since 1990, three years after Maradona’s goals helped the Partenopei to an historic first of two league titles in 1987.
And as Walter Mazzarri’s side prepare for the mouthwatering clash at the Juventus Stadium, the Old Lady of Turin boasts an unbeaten streak extending to 45 games.
Napoli, however, have plenty going in their favour.
Mazzarri’s side are playing attractive, attacking football that has left their Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani top of the league scoring charts on six goals and they are the only other unbeaten team in the table.
Although still early in the campaign the game – historically regarded as a battle between the rich northerners and poor southerners – has dominated headlines for two weeks, relegating Italy’s ongoing World Cup campaign to the inside pages.
On fans’ forums, memories of Napoli’s 3-1 win over Juventus in November 1986 have been evoked.
Napoli are also the only team since May 2011, when Juve’s unbeaten run began, to beat the Turin side in a 2-0 Italian Cup victory.
On paper both sides will be aiming for nothing less than three points. A draw would do neither any favours and give hope to both Lazio and Inter at four points adrift.
Mazzarri said Napoli were confident “because we can put any team in difficulty” but played the diplomat in denying Juve had so far been given an easy ride.
“Not even the European champions Chelsea beat Juventus,” he said in an interview referring to Juve’s 2-2 Champions League draw at Stamford Bridge.
While Juventus usually count on several national team regulars, caretaker coach Massimo Carrera, standing in for the still suspended Antonio Conte, is not worry-free.
Keeper Gianluigi Buffon remains a doubt with the left adductor muscle injury which forced him out of Italy’s 3-1 win over Denmark on Tuesday.
And while midfielder Andrea Pirlo will be ready to play his usual orchestrating role ahead of a three-man defence of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, Carrera may have to send out a makeshift attacking pair.
Mirko Vucinic returned from international duty with a cold, meaning Fabio Quagliarella could get to start against his former and hometown club.
In a rare Saturday treat for fans, tonight third-placed Lazio host an Milan side which is trying to regain respectability after a disastrous start to the season.
While Vladimir Petkovic’s capital side have five wins in seven games Milan sit mid-table with two wins and four defeats.
Milan lost the derby to Inter last time out, but CEO Adriano Galliani has denied the game will be make-or-break for embattled coach Massimiliano Allegri.
“Allegri’s last game for the club won’t be against Lazio in Rome or against Malaga (in Champions League), or against Genoa at the San Siro,” Galliani said.
“The club will continue with the coach that has put the most points on the table in Italian football for the past two-and-a-half years.”
Fixtures
Serie A
Playing Today
Juventus Vs Napoli 18.00
Lazio Vs Milan 20.45
Tomorrow – 15.00
Atalanta Vs Siena
Cagliari Vs Bologna 12.30
Chievo Vs Fiorentina
Inter Vs Catania
Genoa Vs Roma20.45
Palermo Vs Torino
Parma Vs Sampdoria
Udinese Vs Pescara
Standings: Juve, Napoli 19; Lazio, Inter 15; Roma, Fiorentina, Catania 11; Samp (-1) 10; Genoa 9; Torino (-1) 8; Milan, Bologna, Pescara 7; Udinese, Parma, Chievo 6; Palermo, Atalanta (-2), Cagliari 5; Siena (-6) 2.
Serie B
Played Yesterday
Crotone Vs Novara 2-1
Today – 15.00
Ascoli Vs Juve Stabia
Cesena Vs Reggina
Cittadella Vs Sassuolo
Lanciano Vs Empoli
Livorno Vs Verona
Modena Vs Grosseto
Pro Vercelli Vs Padova
Ternana Vs Vicenza
Varese Vs Spezia
Monday – Bari Vs Brescia 20.45
Standings: Sassuolo 25; Livorno 19; Verona 18; Spezia, Ternana 14; Modena (-2), Padova (-2), Varese (-1) 13; Ascoli (-1), Juve Stabia, Brescia 12; Bari (-7), Cittadella 10; Crotone (-2), Novara (-4), Vicenza 9; Lanciano, Cesena 8; Pro Vercelli 7; Reggina (-3) 5; Empoli (-1) 3; Grosseto (-6) 1.