Spalletti feels David’s ‘reaction’ before Conte and Napoli’s ‘exam’

Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti can ‘feel’ Jonathan David’s reaction, but will decide the Bianconeri’s XI for a game against Napoli tomorrow: ‘It has happened to me to change something during the night.’

Spalletti’s Juventus visit Napoli at the Stadio Maradona on Sunday in the big match of Serie A Round 14.

The Bianconeri have won three games in a row across all competitions.

“The Juventus shirt is made for this. For winning matches,” Spalletti said at a pre-match press conference via Ilbianconero.com.

“We’re not living a great moment, but that has to be our status. It’s important because it gives you confidence, but we need to be strong and free spirits. It’s important to see that in training, we’re going out and grabbing new things.

“This is a match that can say a lot about the future of our league, and we’ll dedicate everything we have to it,” Spalletti continued.

“It’s an exam where we have to be ready. We know it’s a difficult match, we’re going to play against the champions of Italy.”

Tomorrow’s meeting is the first competitive match between Spalletti and Antonio Conte.

“We’ve met many times around, once we even played a friendly against each other, and we met at Coverciano,” said the Juventus boss.

“He’s a good coach; he has shown that. As a person, I can’t say much because I don’t see him every day. For the rest, I go by what I see on the pitch, and he’s a top coach.”

Dusan Vlahovic underwent surgery earlier this week and will return in March 2026, so Jonathan David is expected to get more playing time going forward.

The Canada international has only netted twice across all competitions this term, but has put in convincing performances in recent games.

“It doesn’t depend on words, but on the tempo, the rhythm, and what you personally want to go and grab,” Spalletti said.

“He’s a sensitive, smart, strong guy, physically powerful, and I think he pushes himself to show what he’s really made of. He carries certain numbers behind him, and I can feel his reaction; that’s the right thing.”

Some media have suggested that Kenan Yildiz could be deployed as a false nine at the Maradona tomorrow.

“I prefer to tell the players first; otherwise, I make a mad impression tomorrow when I walk in, and they’ve already heard it,” Spalletti said.

“In games like these, you take all the available time before choosing the formation. I feel like I’ve got it, but it has happened to me to change something during the night.”

Spalletti, an ex-Napoli coach, and Juventus will likely get a hostile reception at the Maradona tomorrow.

“We made each other happy for two years. Incredible emotions, especially in the Scudetto season,” said the Bianconeri boss.

“Beautiful stories have the power of immortality, and this one will always be like that. Then I lived other important experiences: Roma, Inter, Napoli. Today I’m an opponent, and I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. I know they’re missing something in midfield, we’re missing something in defence for a while now, and so we still have to try and win. They have a past that gives them certainties, and we are searching for certainties.”

Lastly, Spalletti had words of praise for Weston McKennie and Manuel Locatelli.

“It’s a strong person who makes a strong footballer. McKennie has this attitude, this way of meeting you halfway, like he’s saying: ‘You ask, I’ll do,’” noted Spalletti.

“He starts and becomes effective; you can tell he faced his fears when he was young because to become brave, you have to face what scares you. He tries plays that wouldn’t normally be part of his repertoire, but he still tries them.

“Locatelli has personality and a precise role in the dressing room. He knows well what his characteristics are, even if sometimes he gets carried away with other things. We talked about that personally. He’s been almost perfect, so I expect another big performance.”