Luciano Spalletti struck a defiant tone on the eve of Juventus-Napoli, a game seen as a must-win. He also backed the club's response to the defeat at Genoa, including a squad retreat.

Spalletti made his stance clear on the eve of Juventus-Napoli. Anyone expecting him to retreat even slightly, he warned, should expect something different.

Sunday’s game is at the Allianz Stadium. Spalletti said the side want to win back the respect that has been taken from them. Several outlets say his job is on the line.

Carnevali’s address won the coach’s full approval

The build-up has been shaped by the club’s response to the defeat at Genoa. Ehizibue scored in the 12th minute and Baldanzi in the 28th. After a long meeting between chief executive Giovanni Carnevali and the squad, Spalletti announced a retreat. The team would stay at the Continassa from Friday evening until the Napoli game.

Spalletti called Carnevali’s address perfect and said he had hit the right notes. He has never been keen on training-camp retreats. In these circumstances, though, he said one could help the group become more compact again.

The coach also played down any need for public backing. He needs no reassurance from the club, only a reaction from the team, Eurosport reported. He added that he is not asking his players for anything beyond their capabilities.

Fourteen points leaves Juventus short of last season’s pace

After nine rounds, this season’s tally trails the 15 Juventus had at the same stage last season and the 17 under Motta in 2024/25. It is above the 13 under Allegri in 2022/23, according to Tuttosport.

Recent form has been uneven. The last five league results were a 2-0 home win over Atalanta, a 1-1 draw at Cagliari and a 3-0 home defeat by Lazio. A 2-0 win at Lecce and the loss at Genoa complete the run. Two of those five games ended in defeat, and Juventus failed to score in both.

Napoli arrive without their coach. The Serie A sporting judge banned Massimiliano Allegri for two matches over disrespectful remarks to the officials in the 3-3 draw with Roma. The ban covers the Monza and Juventus games.

Spalletti also offered a hint on selection. He said Edon Zhegrova and Jeremie Boga would come on in the second half even if they did not start.

There is little time to recover whatever the result. Juventus travel to AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday 5 November at 21:00.