Two games. 180 minutes of action. That is how long Napoli have left to secure Champions League football for next season. The Partenopei could have secured a spot by winning their first Europa League in 25 years, only to see their dreams shattered after being unfortunately and shockingly edged out by Ukrainian outfit Dnipro in the semi-finals.
Still, a return to the continent's premier competition is not out of their reach, but a close look at the league table shows that things are indeed quite tricky for Rafa Benitez - who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid - and his side:
Not only will they need to beat Juventus, but also will have to hope Roma beats Lazio in the Derby della Capitale and also win their own final clash with the very same Biancocelesti at the Stadio San Paolo next week. All permutations aside, it is win-or-go-home for this season's Supercoppa Italiana winners, but naturally, this will be a lot easier said than done with this daunting stat:
A 46-game unbeaten league home run is at stake for us in #JuveNapoli. Let's get the party started in style!
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) May 22, 2015
Napoli have not beaten Juventus in Turin since a hard-fought 3-2 result on October 31, 2009 and were defeated at home by the Bianconeri for the first time since September 2000 earlier this season.
Meanwhile, Massimiliano Allegri's men are flying high after securing their tenth Coppa Italia - and first since 1995 - after powering past Lazio earlier this week. It has been an excellent debut season for him since arriving in Turin and he has won over even his most virulent critics by guiding them to their first Champions League final since 2003.
However, Allegri will be keen on making sure that the team maintains a high level of performance and has encouraged his troops not to kick back and relax too much:
.@OfficialAllegri: "Devo fare i complimenti ai ragazzi per la stagione che hanno fatto e stanno facendo, e non è ancora finita" #JuveNapoli
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) May 22, 2015
"I have to compliment the boys for the [great performance] they have done this season and are still doing...and it is not over yet"
And despite the league already having been won, the clash with Napoli will serve to keep the league leaders sharp with the big game coming up next month:
.@OfficialAllegri: "#JuveNapoli è importante per il miglioramento tecnico della squadra e per conservare imbattibilità interna"
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) May 22, 2015
"Juventus-Napoli is important for the technical improvement of our squad and to preserve our unbeaten record at home"
.@OfficialAllegri: "#JuveNapoli servirà anche per mantenere la condizione atletica e mentale"
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) May 22, 2015
"It will also serve to maintain a strong physical and mental condition"
Allegri will definitely rotate his squad, with Marco Storari set to sit out as Gianluigi Buffon returns to his spot between the sticks. Alvaro Morata and Claudio Marchisio, who were banned for the Coppa Italia final will also likely return to the fold, but Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez could be rested.
As for Benitez, Kalidou Koulibaly is suspended and so Miguel Britos will link up with Raul Albiol in the heart of the team's defense.
This will represent the 138th meeting between Juve and Napoli, with la Vecchia Signora having won 62 times. The Azzurri have tasted victory on 29 occasions and this match between Northern and Southern Italy has concluded as a draw in 46 of those matches.
Will they be able to shock the Serie A champions at home? The last team to beat them at Juventus Stadium was Sampdoria on January 6, 2013. Or will Juventus cap off a fine week with another win at home?
Tune in to find out!
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