Struggling Napoli Prepare for Juventus Clash After Disappointing Champions League Result

Napoli is struggling as they head into Sundays encounter with rivals Juventus, following yet another setback in Europe that has left the Serie A champions on the edge of a Champions League exit.

Six points behind leaders Inter Milan before their journey to Turin, Napoli must regroup after a frustrating 1-1 draw against 10-man FC Copenhagen.

Scott McTominays goal, scored soon after Thomas Delaneys red card for Copenhagen late in the first half, seemed to position Napoli for a vital victory to boost their play-off chances.

However Napoli were unable to hold the lead, slipping into the drop zone with just one game left, a tough blow for both the club and Italys fading standing in European competitions.

We ought to have claimed that match, it is unacceptable, McTominay said to Sky.

We needed to net the second and third goals to seal it. It is truly frustrating that we failed to do so.

Blocking their path to a Champions League play-off are Chelsea, whom Napoli face next after this always intense matchup against a Juventus side gaining momentum under Luciano Spalletti.

We must analyse the errors and aim to get better. Chelsea form a strong outfit, McTominay added.

We need to push hard to enhance our Champions League form too. We have to perform at peak level.

Napoli might start Sundays game nine points adrift of Inter, who aim to recover from their 3-1 loss to Premier League frontrunners Arsenal by facing Pisa in a straightforward assignment.

Antonio Contes team faces a stern test against fifth-placed Juventus, who have begun to embody Spalletis style in recent outings and, unlike Napoli, clinched a Champions League play-off place with a win over Benfica.

Spalletti deals with far fewer injury woes than Conte, whose squad has seen a revolving door of key figures sidelined.

Centre-back Amir Rrahmani and winger Matteo Politano have now added to the injury list that already features Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Andre-Frank Anguissa.

Apart from last weekends unmerited defeat at Cagliari, Juventus have tightened defensively and become more attacking upfront, with Kenan Yildiz progressing well under Spalletti.

Juventus sit three points from the final Champions League spots, occupied by Roma, who could re-enter the Scudetto race by hosting second-placed AC Milan.

Roma trail Inter by seven points, but victory at Stadio Olimpico in Sundays evening game would place Gian Piero Gasperinis side just one point behind Milan and hinder Juventus progress.

Player to watch: Paulo Dybala

Dybalas position at Roma remains uncertain after the Argentinians challenging initial campaign under Gasperini, plagued by recurring injuries and the emergence of fellow countryman Matias Soule.

Yet the 32-year-old rediscovered his form in last weekends solid victory at Torino, scoring and assisting new signing Donyell Malen, showing clear chemistry on the field.

Provided he avoids injury in Thursdays Europa League clash with Stuttgart, Dybala will feature on Sunday, as Gasperini has stressed no one else in the team matches his unique qualities.

Key stats

25 - The tally of points Inter have earned in their most recent nine games.

20 - Milans unbeaten streak, which began following their opening-day loss to Cremonese

Fixtures (times GMT)

Friday

Inter Milan v Pisa (1945)

Saturday

Como v Torino (1400), Fiorentina v Cagliari (1700), Lecce v Lazio (1945)

Sunday

Sassuolo v Cremonese (1130), Atalanta v Parma, Genoa v Bologna (1400), Juventus v Napoli (1700), Roma v AC Milan (1945)

Monday

Verona v Udinese (1945)