The upcoming week is vital for Napoli as they prepare for a showdown against Juventus on Sunday. Following that, Chelsea will visit next Wednesday for a critical Champions League match that could determine Napoli’s fate in the tournament. Currently ranked 25th, the team has already faced elimination from the league, but a strong performance against Chelsea might shift their standing. The clash with Juventus at Allianz Stadium is also significant in the ongoing Scudetto and Champions League race. Thus, these two upcoming matches could shape the future of coach Antonio Conte, who has historic ties to both clubs. He played for and managed Juventus from 2011 to 2014 and led Chelsea to a Premier League title between 2016 and 2018. Here’s what fans should know about this pivotal week for Napoli.
How to watch Juventus vs. Napoli, odds
- Date: January 25 (Sunday) | Time: 12:00 PM ET
- Location: Allianz Stadium — Turin
- Live Stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Juventus +104; Draw +208; Napoli +291
Challenging European Season
Napoli’s season has been marred by injuries, significantly impacting Conte’s ability to field regular starters like Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Anguissa, and Alexandru Cicâldău. These players’ absences have hindered Napoli’s performance, which notably won the Scudetto in the 2024-25 season during Conte’s first year. Although the team’s Serie A results have been moderate, the Champions League has presented bigger challenges, bringing struggles such as only two wins and three losses in seven matches, including a heavy 6-2 defeat against PSV. A draw in their home match against Chelsea on January 28 may leave them at risk of elimination.
Conte’s discontent with some of Napoli’s summer signings, like Noah Lang and Lorenzo Lucca, is evident, as both players appear to be leaving the club soon, fueling speculation about discontent regarding the club’s transfer strategies.
Facing His Past
Ironically, the two most significant matches for Conte will be against Juventus and Chelsea, clubs where he has substantial history. His most fruitful playing years were spent at Juventus, leading them to a Serie A title and a Champions League victory in 1996, although his career ended prematurely due to injury. Transitioning to coaching, he led Juventus to multiple Serie A titles before departing over disagreements about player acquisitions.
Conte has maintained a complex but strong connection with Juventus and has faced tensions with the club and fanbase in recent years. Despite his past with Inter, many Juventus supporters respected him and understood his potential to coach any team. Following his departure from Juventus, there were expectations that he would return, particularly after winning the Scudetto with Napoli.
This week is pivotal for Conte’s future. While he may not resign or be fired outright based on the outcomes, his emotional nature suggests that defeats against Juventus or Chelsea could impact his mindset and decision-making going forward, echoing patterns from his previous departures. Napoli cannot afford any uncertainty now.
Match Schedule for Serie A Round 22
Always US/Eastern.
Friday, January 23
- Inter 6, Pisa 2
Saturday, January 24
- AS Roma vs. Torino, 9 AM (Paramount+)
- Fiorentina vs. Cagliari, 12 PM (Paramount+)
- Lecce vs. Lazio, 2:45 PM (Paramount+)
Sunday, January 25
- Sassuolo vs. Cremonese, 6:30 AM (Paramount+)
- Atalanta vs. Parma, 9 AM (Paramount+)
- Genoa vs. Bologna, 9 AM (Paramount+)
- Juventus vs. Napoli, 12 PM (Paramount+)
- AS Roma vs. AC Milan, 2:45 PM (Paramount+)
Monday, January 26
- Hellas Verona vs. Udinese, 2:45 PM (Paramount+)
Fan Take
This news matters profoundly to soccer fans because it underscores the high stakes in Serie A and the Champions League, with potential implications for league standings and managerial careers. Should Napoli falter, it could shift the balance of power in Italian football, leading to intense ramifications that might resonate throughout the league.
