TITLE PREDICTION: JOSé ALTAFINI BACKS NAPOLI & INTER OVER JUVENTUS
Ahead of the Napoli vs. Juventus clash, Altafini analyses the injury crisis and gives his candid predictions for the Serie A title race, favouring the current leaders and Inter.
José Altafini, who used to play striker for Napoli and Juventus, thinks Napoli’s injuries are hitting them harder than Juventus. He’s eyeing Rasmus Hojlund and Francisco Conceiçao as players to watch when they meet this Sunday at Stadio Maradona.
Antonio Conte’s Napoli is getting ready to play Juventus in a big Serie A match this Sunday.
Both teams are dealing with a lot of injuries this season, so some important players won’t be on the field this weekend.
Who’s missing for Napoli and Juventus?
Napoli only has Eljif Elmas and Scott McTominay available in the middle of the field. Kevin De Bruyne, Zambo Anguissa, Stanislav Lobotka, and Billy Gilmour are out for a few months.
Juventus won’t have Gleison Bremer, Federico Gatti, and Daniele Rugani on defence, and Dusan Vlahovic is out on attack. Vlahovic had surgery and won’t be back until March 2026.
Altafini, who played striker for both Juve and Napoli, believes Napoli will feel the injuries more this Sunday.
Altafini told Gazzetta, “Napoli’s lost their whole midfield, but Juventus is without Vlahovic, so they’re missing a key attacker, someone who makes the attack click.
He added, “Still, it’s annoying for a coach like Conte to be missing so many players. Actually, it’s more than a bit annoying.”
So, who will be the key players this Sunday?
Altafini said, “If Anguissa were playing for Napoli, I’d be sure he’d stand out. He’s got everything—speed, strength, smarts, and even a knack for scoring.
He continued, “So, I’ll say Hojlund, even though he hasn’t scored in months, because he can still make a difference in a big game. For Juventus, I’d go with Conceiçao because of his quick moves and how he creates chances.”
This Sunday will be the first time Conte and Luciano Spalletti have coached against each other in a real game.
Altafini’s Serie A Title Pick
Altafini noted, “Conte’s results speak for themselves. He’s won everywhere, usually winning the league title or finishing second, with just a few letdowns.
“Spalletti brought the title back to Naples after 33 years, which is amazing. I like how he’s doing at Juventus; it’s not easy.
The former striker concluded, “I think Napoli and Inter are ahead in the Serie A title race.
“I’m not sure if one has an edge. It’s close. But at this point, with all the players missing, the points can shift, and points always matter. I still think it’ll be a battle between Conte and Chivu, with Milan, Roma, and Juventus a little behind.”
PULISIC HITS BACK: MILAN STAR SHUTS DOWN 2026 GOAL DROUGHT CONCERNS
"I haven't stopped dreaming." Christian Pulisic addresses his goal drought and the frustration of missing out on the Gold Cup squad.
Christian Pulisic isn’t holding back. When critics started questioning his recent form and worried about his 2026 goal drought, he shut them down, calling those concerns “bad questions". The AC Milan forward, fresh off his Time magazine cover, still trusts his ability to step up for the USMNT as they gear up to co-host the World Cup.
All eyes are on him.
The U.S. is set to share the stage for the 2026 World Cup, and Pulisic is set to become the go-to guy for the national team. Landing on the cover of Time isn’t something soccer stars from America get every day, and it just shows how big a deal he’s become, especially after proving himself in Europe. But right as people are finally giving him mainstream recognition, he’s under the microscope for not putting up his usual numbers in front of the goal.
He’s not fazed by the dip.
When Time asked about his goal drought and how he’s handling not scoring for club or country this year, Pulisic didn’t mince words; he’s not sweating it. “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man.” You can hear the confidence in his voice.
Dealing with the noise
Pulisic admits this stretch feels extra tough. Missing out on last June’s Gold Cup squad hurt him, mostly because he’s used to shutting people up with his play. “Normally, I just go out there and score, and that quiets everybody. Right now, I’m in my offseason, so everyone’s talking, and I can’t do anything about it. That’s what’s frustrating.”
For Pulisic, attacking is everything. “Going at the goal, creating attacks, that’s what I live for. Sure, you have to do all the other stuff: defend, run, whatever. That’s fine. But what really gives me joy is finding ways to score and actually scoring.”
Chasing the dream
The U.S. opens their World Cup run against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on June 12, and Pulisic will lead the team right here at home. He doesn’t like making big public predictions, but at 27, he keeps that childhood dream alive. “That’s just not how I work. But I’ll lie in bed and imagine myself holding the World Cup trophy. I did that when I was a kid, and I haven’t stopped. You need to believe. Why not?”
WHY DID LAUTARO MARTINEZ REJECT A CAREER-DEFINING MOVE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
"I love Milan." Read why 28-year-old Lautaro Martinez rejected Manchester United and Arsenal to stay at the San Siro in 2026.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has clearly put an end to any speculation about leaving San Siro, making it known that he has no plans to entertain offers from Europe’s top clubs. Even with regular links to teams like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Arsenal, the Argentine forward is fully committed to what’s happening in Milan.
Martinez has been quite vocal about his dedication to Inter amid constant rumours about his future. Despite frequent connections to some of the biggest clubs on the continent, he insists there’s no reason for him to move on from the current Serie A champions.
Media reports have often tied him to Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United. But through various transfer windows, Martinez has consistently pushed back on the idea of leaving Inter. At 28, he remains a key figure in the team’s current setup and has stepped up as the club’s captain and on-field leader.
In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Martinez expressed his loyalty to Inter’s project. He made it clear that he isn’t interested in changing clubs despite the speculation.
He said, “No, because I am faithful to the Inter project, I feel at home here. My family is happy, we have a restaurant in the city, and we love Milan. From the first day, everyone treated me in a way I didn’t think possible. I achieved so many personal and team goals here.”
Success on the pitch seems to deepen his connection to the club. Inter recently secured another league title and continues to chase trophies, including the Coppa Italia. On an individual level, Martinez is eyeing the Capocannoniere prize as Serie A’s top scorer. His steady performances underline why he’s considered one of the most reliable forwards in European football.
Since his move from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has become the defining presence in Inter’s modern lineup. With 173 goals over 372 competitive games, it’s clear how vital he is to the team.
Looking ahead, the club sees Martinez as a central piece in their long-term plans. His leadership and scoring ability make him hard to replace. Settled both on and off the field in Milan, he seems set on continuing his story at the Giuseppe Meazza, despite ongoing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
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