Allegri plots Napoli tactical switch after nightmare injury pile-up
FLORENCE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 20: Massimiliano Allegri manager of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Stadio Artemio Franchi on September 20, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Thursday’s reports claim that Massimiliano Allegri is plotting a return to a back three after an unfortunate pile-up of injuries during the extra-long September-October international break.
Napoli are back in Serie A action on October 10 at home against the high-flying Frosinone, but will have to go without several of their key first-team players.
Scott McTominay is unlikely to start as he has only just returned to training after having a procedure carried out on his heart at the start of September. He was forced to have two weeks of complete rest after having the operation in Manchester on September 8 and received the go-ahead to resume training with the rest of the first-team group on Wednesday.
Napoli also lost Italy debutant Antonio Vergara for three to four weeks during the international break. Mathias Olivera has also returned from Uruguay duty with an injury issue.
The Partenopei are still without key first-team players in Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Alessandro Buongiorno and Alisson Santos as well.
According to Thursday’s reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, this leaves Allegri looking at the possibility of swapping from a back four to a 3-4-2-1 for the visit of Frosinone on Saturday evening (19.45 BST).
This would be led by the in-form Rasmus Hojlund at centre-forward, with support most likely coming from Kevin De Bruyne and David Neres in the other attacking roles.
Potential Napoli XI to face Frosinone
Napoli (3-4-2-1): Meret; Beukema, Rrahmani, Marin; Di Lorenzo, Gilmour, Lobotka, Spinazzola; De Bruyne, Neres; Hojlund.
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