Manna: ‘Spalletti said Juventus made to win, Napoli to dream’

Napoli director Giovanni Manna explains how Luciano Spalletti saw the differences between them and Juventus. ‘One is made to win, the other to dream.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The Partenopei recaptured top spot in Serie A last week with a victory away to Roma, but were forced to a sudden death penalty shoot-out by Cagliari midweek in the Coppa Italia.

This is also the first time that Luciano Spalletti has returned to the Stadio Maradona since the Scudetto celebrations of 2023.

Of course, it is also familiar for Manna, who was a former Juventus director.

“It is certainly an important match, especially seeing today’s other results, as we want to give a sense of consistency to our performances after winning two head-to-head matches,” Manna told DAZN Italia.

“Juventus are rebuilding, a strong side that is finding its way. Spalletti said that the Juventus shirt was stitched to win, the Napoli shirt was stitched onto our skin to dream. We work for that every single day.”

Stanislav Lobotka joined the growing absentee list with Billy Gilmour, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Miguel Gutierrez, Kevin De Bruyne, Alex Meret and Romelu Lukaku.

“I think the result today will be more decisive for them than for us. Both teams have a lot of players out of action, that is not an alibi, it is a fact. We don’t have many players to choose from, so the decisions are rather forced.

“You can win, lose or draw, but with the right attitude, that is the most important thing.”

Napoli are expected to seek reinforcements in the January transfer window, although Manna warns there are limited resources.

“We want to get our players back to full fitness. If some leave, then we will bring more in. Until then, we’ll make do with what we have.”