Combined XI: Juventus v Napoli (Current)

Looking ahead to Juventus' intriguing meeting with Napoli in Serie A this weekend, we've put together a combined XI made up of players from both Italian giants.

The latest edition of a classic Italian football rivalry will see the record 36-time winners of Serie A Juventus pit themselves against reigning champions Napoli in Turin.

To whet the appetite ahead of this hotly-anticipated fixture, we have assembled a combined XI featuring players from both teams.

Here is the selection we have gone for, lining up in a classic 4-4-2 formation:

GK: Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus)

It's safe to say that replacing the legendary Gianluigi Buffon as Juventus' number one is no easy task, and Poland international goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has more than proven himself as a worthy successor to the Italian World Cup winner since signing for the Old Lady in the summer of 2017.

At 6ft 5in tall, Szczesny boasts striking athleticism, and the ex-Arsenal prospect also possesses impressive agility which helps him pull eye-catching saves.

A three-time Serie A winner with Juventus, 33-year-old Szczesny is now an influential senior statesmen at the club as Massimiliano Allegri's charges go in search of a first league title win in four years.
 

RB: Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli)

Immortalised as the first player since the iconic Diego Maradona in 1990 to lift the Scudetto for Napoli, right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo has developed into a key player for both club and country in recent years.

Di Lorenzo played all 120 minutes in the final against England at Wembley as Italy were crowned EURO 2020 champions, with his lung-busting energy down the right flank personifying the spirit of the successful Azzurri side.

Although Napoli have suffered a drop-off in form from their title-winning heroics of last term so far in this campaign, Di Lorenzo has still been able to score one goal and make four assists from full-back in Serie A this season.
 

Bremer (Juventus)

After being named Serie A Defender of the Season following his performances in 2021/22, Brazilian Gleison Bremer proceeded to made the controversial switch from Torino to rivals Juventus for a fee in the region of £45m.

The central defender hasn't looked back since, and has been a key figure as Juventus have started the 2023/24 Serie A campaign in impressive fashion.

Bremer's standout attribute is arguably his speed, with the 26-year-old capable of keeping up with Serie A's quickest marksmen.
 

Danilo (Juventus)

Breaking an almost 60-year record in the summer to replace Leonardo Bonucci as Juventus captain and become the club's first non-Italian skipper since Omar Sivori in 1965, Brazil international defender Danilo has truly found a home in Turin following his move from Manchester City in 2019.

A versatile operator who can play all across the backline, 32-year-old Danilo has been utilised to great effect on the left side of a back three within Allegri's rejuvenated Juve side this term, with the Old Lady having kept the second most clean sheets in the division behind Inter so far with seven.
 

LB: Mathias Olivera (Napoli)

After spending five years with La Liga outfit Getafe between 2017 and 2022, Uruguay international left-back Mathias Olivera has grown into a consistent performer in Serie A for Napoli.

Making 30 league appearances last term as Luciano Spalletti steered Napoli to the Scudetto, the technically proficient Olivera gives a strong balance to the side as the opposite full-back to the influential skipper Di Lorenzo, with attacking thrust provided from both flanks going forward.
 

RM: Matteo Politano (Napoli)

In what has been a largely frustrating season so far for Napoli, the performances of right winger Matteo Politano have been a shining light with the Italy international having contributed five goals and four assists in Serie A to date.

A diminutive figure at 5ft 7in, Politano is very sharp off the mark and is a tricky dribbler who regularly proves elusive for opposition defenders.

As a left-footed forward player who is regularly deployed on Napoli's right flank, Politano is a huge threat when cutting inside and supplying incisive passes and dangerous strikes at goal.
 

CM: Adrien Rabiot (Juventus)

Somewhat of an enigma at times, Adrien Rabiot can be acknowledged to be playing some of the best football of his career at Juventus so far this season.

A well-rounded midfielder with both the class to make Juventus tick in possession and the stamina to cover every blade of grass, his influence on Allegri's side is highlighted by the fact he has played 90 minutes in all but one Serie A match this season - when suspended against Cagliari last month.

Rabiot has also grown into an important player at international level for France, with the 28-year-old missing just one match throughout the tournament as Les Bleus lost in the World Cup final on penalties to Argentina in Qatar last year.
 

CM: Manuel Locatelli (Juventus)

A breakout star at Euro 2020 as Italy went on to win the tournament under Roberto Mancini, defensive midfielder Manuel Locatelli transferred from Sassuolo to Juventus shortly thereafter the competition.

Locatelli has been an ever-present for Juventus in Serie A this season, helping the Old Lady control games with his composure and football intelligence from a holding midfield position.

At 25 years of age, Locatelli looks primed to continue growing in influence for both club and country, and cement his name as the latest top Italian midfielder in a long line of distinguished players before him.
 

LM: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli)

Plucked from the relative wilderness of Dinamo Batumi in the top flight of Georgian football last summer, the mercurial Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is already a bonafide legend at Napoli after his starring role in the club's Scudetto success last season.

Wowing supporters with his technique and skill, with the ball seemingly glued to his feet as he dribbles, Kvaratskhelia registered a remarkable 31 goal contributions in all competitions in his first season at Napoli - 14 goals and 17 assists.

Affectionately referred to as 'Kvaradona' by Napoli supporters in homage to the club's best ever player, the late Diego Maradona, the 22-year-old Georgian winger is widely regarded as one of the most promising stars in Europe at the moment.
 

ST: Federico Chiesa (Juventus)

Struck down by an ACL injury at the beginning of last year, Federico Chiesa has looked back to his blistering best at the beginning of the latest Serie A campaign as one of Juventus' chief attacking threats under manager Allegri.

One of the most talented Italian footballers of his generation, Chiesa is a versatile operator capable of playing all across the frontline, and has played the majority of matches through the middle for Juventus so far this term.

As a key member of Italy's victorious team at Euro 2020, Chiesa will be vying to follow up a successful season with Juventus with another successful showing for his country at a major tournament at next summer's Euros.
 

ST: Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

The top scorer in Serie A last season with 26 as Napoli sealed their first Scudetto in 33 years, Nigerian hitman Victor Osimhen is now regarded as one of the most lethal strikers in all of Europe.

Osimhen can be acknowledged to represent a complete striker - blessed with the physical attributes to gain an edge over his opponents with regards to his speed and athleticism whilst also boasting terrific technique to make the most of chances when they fall his way.

In Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia, Napoli possess two of the most dangerous forward players on the continent, and the pair have assumed a devastating partnership at the Serie A club.