Paolo Di Canio was unimpressed with Juventus’ defensive style and suggested that a Napoli win tonight would have important Scudetto ramifications.
The Bianconeri enter tonight’s clash seven points behind the league leaders, giving them a genuine shot of catching the Partenopei should they find victory in Campania. A win for Napoli puts them 10 points clear at the top and gives them a little breathing room in the early stages of this year. Milan will be keeping a close eye on the clash as they prepare to face Lecce this weekend.
Speaking to Il Mattino, Di Canio first gave his thoughts on Juventus and their defensive style.
“Only in Italy can a team that plays like Juventus be in contention for a title… Allegri is like that, no surprise there. But elsewhere those who focus on beauty win, like Napoli do and like Arsenal are doing in the Premier League.
“And for tonight’s match I have only one appeal to make: entertain us. Certain attitudes you can only afford in Serie A because there are opponents who concede goals on their own. And Allegri knows this, so for him what matters is defending and that’s all.
“But how can you accept a team that clearly has the sole objective of not conceding goals? Allegri is good, he does what he knows how to do, but in England even the bottom in the table like Southampton or a newly promoted team like Nottingham Forest play football.”
He then underlined his strong impression of Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli.
“Spalletti has been delivering eye-watering football. Then there were the matches with Inter and Sampdoria, the drop is there when you stop for more than 50 days and start again.
“But the Scudetto is there, within reach. Luciano has a great mastery of teaching football, he’s been skilful at sorting out a locker room that was in turmoil with a president who is known to interfere.”
The former forward suggested that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia would be the key to breaking down Juventus’ tough defence.
“Juve, whoever they play in midfield, do not have possession among their qualities, Locatelli, Rabiot, Paredes know how to make simple geometries, they are adept at cleaning up the pass.
“Of course, he may have to aim to be less wait-and-see because Allegri certainly cannot bring in someone like Kvara.
“Because sooner or later, with him in the area, something happens. The key is Kvara, I saw him make some interesting turns against Sampdoria.”
Di Canio spoke about the Scudetto implications this match carries.
“If Napoli win and go 10 points clear, it’s hard to think of a Juventus comeback. Considering then that there’s also Milan and Inter. Pioli’s Rossoneri are the other team capable of entertaining, even if they often lose out in the small things. Which means losing points.
“While with Inzaghi, Inter always pay for the same mistakes, canonical changes, role by role, never a surprise. Football is not methodology, you also have to go by feel from time to time.”
Finally, Di Canio discussed the impact of Juventus’ injury crisis this season.
“Are you sure this is a bitter price to pay? In my opinion, it’s all positive. Because as long as you have a team made up of youngsters then you can expect them to give their souls, with determination, with grit, to defend and that’s it.
“It can’t work for long. When the top players come back, can they ever accept that the goal is just not to concede goals? Can they ever be content with a record of zero goals in eight games, when in at least four it was mostly luck that you did not concede goals?”
True. Allegri’s love for cleansheets is something else. I want a draw tonight but Napoli will get away with a comfortable win. After creating maybe a couple of half chances which is OK for Allegri, his only one complain will be how they let the goals in.
Away from home, expect Allegri to be even more defensive.