Napoli returned from the international break with their most convincing performance of the season, beating Frosinone 3-0 at the Maradona to move to 10 points from six Serie A games. The result matters not just for the three points but for what it suggested about the team's direction. Massimiliano Allegri shifted to a back three, and the response was immediate. Kevin De Bruyne was the standout figure, scoring twice and controlling the game from a central midfield role across 90 minutes. It was the kind of authoritative display Napoli had been missing in a difficult opening stretch that included defeats to Inter, Arsenal, and Como.

The injury situation had cast a long shadow over the build-up. Buongiorno, Olivera, Anguissa, Favasuli, Alisson Santos, and Vergara all missed the match, leaving Allegri with limited options. Scott McTominay, returning from an ablation procedure for a benign arrhythmia, came off the bench to a warm reception from the Maradona crowd, his availability a genuine boost for the weeks ahead. David Neres and Giovane also featured, two players who had barely contributed to the season so far and now offer Allegri additional tools as the schedule intensifies.

The next test arrives quickly. Napoli travel to Spain on Tuesday to face Villarreal in the Champions League, looking to recover from an opening defeat to Arsenal. How Allegri manages his squad across both competitions will define the next phase of their season.