Spalletti to miss Juve clash as COVID hits Napoli
Napoli head coach Luciano Spalletti will not be present on the touchline against Juventus after testing positive for COVID-19.
Spalletti's side has been ravaged by coronavirus issues over the mid-season break, leaving it somewhat short-handed for the trip to Turin on Friday (AEDT).
To make matters worse for the Naples outfit, its boss Spalletti returned a positive result for the virus on Wednesday (AEDT) that will keep him away from Allianz Stadium as he heads into self-isolation.
On the same day, Napoli announced Mario Rui and fellow full-back Kevin Malcuit were isolating, while Andrea Petagna came into close contact with a positive case but was later given the all-clear.
That trio joins a host of stars within the Napoli ranks who will be absent for the clash with Massimiliano Allegri's side because of COVID-19 issues.
Hirving Lozano, who has featured in all of Napoli's 25 games in all competitions this term, was confirmed as unavailable last week after contracting the virus while back in Mexico.
Talisman Victor Osimhen, Fabian Ruiz and Eljif Elmas, all of whom are regular starters for the Serie A outfit, are also among the notable absentees ahead of the visit to the Bianconeri.
Reports in Italy suggest because of the ongoing situation at the club and across the country, the game could still yet be called off if local health authorities order Napoli to quarantine.
That would ban Spalletti's team from travelling to Juve and cancel the meeting between the two sides that sit third and fifth in Serie A respectively.
