Napoli are in serious trouble. Back-to-back defeats, a mounting injury crisis, and a Champions League campaign that is rapidly unravelling have combined to paint a bleak picture for Massimiliano Allegri's side at the start of November.

The 4-1 loss at Porto on Wednesday evening was the sharpest illustration yet of the club's problems. Allegri had recovered Kevin De Bruyne and Rasmus Hojlund for the trip to the Estadio do Dragao, but the defensive frailties that have plagued Napoli all season resurfaced badly. Repeated failures to deal with set pieces cost them dearly, Rafa Marin was sent off, and a Scott McTominay equaliser before half-time proved only a temporary reprieve. It was a third defeat in four Champions League matches, leaving the club with just three points in the competition.

The situation in Serie A is no better. Sunday's 2-0 home loss to Juventus, in which De Bruyne was forced off at half-time with an ankle injury, left Napoli eighth in the table with 14 points from ten games. Last season at this stage they were top. The gap to the Champions League places now stands at nine points, and the distance from the summit is 14.

Allegri continues to navigate the campaign without a full squad. The fullback positions remain critically short, and the injury list shows no sign of shrinking. Napoli host Lazio on Sunday, a match that carries real urgency for a side that cannot afford further domestic slippage.