Juventus and Napoli both aimed to challenge for the Scudetto when the first leg was postponed in October last year, now they play for the Champions League.
In recent years Napoli were the big challengers for Juventus but fell out of the top four during a turbulent 2019-20 season and aimed for a swift return to the Scudetto battle under Gennaro Gattuso this term.
Juventus and Napoli both aimed to challenge for the Scudetto when the first leg was postponed in October last year, now they play for the Champions League.
In recent years Napoli were the big challengers for Juventus but fell out of the top four during a turbulent 2019-20 season and aimed for a swift return to the Scudetto battle under Gennaro Gattuso this term.
Being the reigning champions for the ninth consecutive season, Juventus have a more disappointing path under new coach Andrea Pirlo, as the two teams are fighting for access to the Champions League in 2021-22.
Juventus beat last year’s Coppa Italia champions Napoli in the Supercoppa Italiana and are qualified for this year's Final in the Italian Cup against Atalanta next month.
But an exit from the last 16 in the European Cup and the gap of 12 points up to League leaders Inter means the pressure mounts on Pirlo’s shoulder.
Juventus host Napoli at the Allianz Stadium today, with the two teams locked on 56 points in 28 games and the winner of tonight’s match will sit among the top four in Italy.
When the two teams met at the start of 2021, the Partenopei coach’s position in Naples was uncertain, but the Azzurri have turned things around and mounted a run to keep them in the battle for the Champions League places.
Rumours suggest Gattuso has convinced patron Aurelio De Laurentiis, who is working to sway the former Milan coach to stay at the Stadio Diego Maradaona.
So, the tables have turned, and the Old Lady coach Pirlo is now the one under enormous pressure after another setback in the Derby della Mole.
The 2-2 draw with Toro at the Stadio Grande Torino means Napoli have climbed up behind the Bianconeri ahead of today's direct clash.
In the last nine seasons, Juventus have dominated, and Napoli were the team that threatened to steal the Scudetto for many seasons.
Inter are now in pole position for the Scudetto, having finished second last term, and both Juventus and Napoli risk not qualifying for the Champions League.