Andrea Pirlo's position precarious heading into Italian Super Cup

Rarely has a coach's job depended on the Italian Super Cup, but rarely has Juventus got off to a worse start to the season over the past decade.

The match showcasing the Serie A and Italian Cup champions is normally regarded as little more than a friendly. It used to be the traditional season curtain-raiser in August but has been played in December or January several times over the past few seasons.

Anything but a convincing win for Andrea Pirlo's Juventus over Napoli could spell the beginning of the end of his brief time in charge.

Eyebrows were raised when the 41-year-old Pirlo was given the reins at Juventus at the start of August, handing the former midfield maestro his first-ever coaching job.

And for now, the doubters are being proved right.

Pirlo was tasked with turning Juventus into a more attractive side and ending the club's quarter-century wait for Champions League success.

The Bianconeri were not expected to falter in Serie A, which they have dominated for the past ni