Napoli return to training before Juventus with no date for Lobotka

The squad trained on Friday 30 October after a day off following the 1-4 win at Monza. They leave for Turin on Saturday 31 October, ahead of Sunday's game at the Allianz Stadium.

by Gennaro SanninoFriday 30 October, 22:24 CET· 3 hours ago

Napoli, ripresa a due giorni dalla Juventus: una seduta al mattino, e ancora nessuna data per Lobotka — Grafica Arena Napoli

Napoli are back at work. On the morning of Friday 30 October the squad did a physical warm-up and technical activation, then split into units by position. It was their first session since the day off that followed the 1-4 win at Monza. Next up is Juventus-Napoli at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday 1 November, kick-off 20:45 CET (19:45 UK, 14:45 ET).

Few sessions remain before a game that matters. Juventus have 14 points after nine matches, the same as Napoli, and whoever wins on Sunday leaves the other behind. Como, in fourth, have 20.

Napoli come in unbeaten in three: the 4-3 win over Bodø/Glimt, the 3-3 with Roma and Wednesday's 1-4 at Monza. Juventus lost 2-0 in Genoa last time out. Spalletti has kept his squad at the Continassa, their training base, in a closed camp.

Lobotka still without a timeline

The club issued no official update on Lobotka on Friday. He picked up a bruise and sprain to his left ankle at Monza, and there is still no date for his return. The fear is a fractured fibula. Even in the best case he would need six weeks.

Rrahmani is not fully fit either, after a blow to the sternum. His absence matters. Without him Napoli concede about 1.7 goals a game. With him the figure is between 0.69 and 0.72.

Neres, Badiashile and Spinazzola are already ruled out. The only certainties in the starting XI are Meret in goal and De Bruyne in the side.

The worry from Monza

Even the win at Monza did not settle the main concern. Napoli allowed 12 shots that night to a side with 35% of the ball. Juventus do not score many, but a defence that gives away that much will be punished at the Allianz Stadium.

Landucci will be on the bench again, because Allegri is serving the second game of his suspension. It is Landucci's job to fix the side this week, and he will answer for it on Sunday.

A week away from home

With Capodichino (Naples airport) closed, the travel plans change. The squad will be based at Vinovo, they leave for Turin on Saturday 31 October, and they will not go home after the Juventus game. Porto follow at the Estádio do Dragão on Wednesday 4 November at 21:00 CET, and the trip back goes through Salerno.

Juventus come first. On Sunday at 20:45 CET we find out which of the two sides falls behind.