Luciano Spalletti appears ready to trust Francisco Conceição from the start as Juventus prepare to face Napoli in one of the season’s biggest tests. The Portuguese winger has earned that confidence not only through his attacking flair but also thanks to his hard work and discipline off the ball — qualities backed up by solid numbers.
David ahead of Openda
After a convincing display in the Coppa Italia on Tuesday, Jonathan David is expected to start ahead of Lois Openda, filling in for the absent Dusan Vlahović. With Kenan Yildiz certain to keep his place, Spalletti’s main offensive decision concerns the attacking midfield role — and all signs point towards Conceição. The youngster was rested against Udinese, seemingly being preserved for this high-profile encounter.
“Transform the predictable into the unpredictable”
That will be Conceição’s mission on Sunday night — to “transform the predictable into the unpredictable”, injecting creativity and energy into the game at decisive moments. Spalletti places particular faith in him, aware that while the 22-year-old can sometimes lack a touch of ruthlessness in the final third, his spark often drives Juventus’s entire attacking rhythm. Opposing defences frequently twist and reorganise to contain his movement — a clear sign of the threat he brings.
Work rate and sacrifice
Yet what has truly convinced Spalletti is Conceição’s willingness to sacrifice himself for the team. His defensive effort stands out statistically: he leads all Juventus attackers in total tackles (10), tackles won (6), and defensive blocks (7). He has also recovered 36 balls — an average of 2.8 per match — highlighting an impressive defensive contribution for a forward.
Born in 2002 and already recognised for his maturity, Conceição is poised to start again at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Sunday’s game is more than just another big fixture; it’s a chance for Juventus to turn a corner — and for the young Portuguese to light the spark that could define their evening.
