A dramatic 4-3 Champions League win over Bodo/Glimt at the Maradona has given Napoli a timely boost after a turbulent stretch that had placed Massimiliano Allegri's position under serious scrutiny. Scott McTominay scored twice on his return to form, while Kevin De Bruyne pulled the strings from a deeper role, and the victory offered the clearest sign yet that this squad can perform when its best players are available and fit.

The win came at a critical moment. Just days earlier, Napoli had lost 1-0 at Venezia in Serie A, a fifth defeat in nine games across all competitions that had intensified calls for change. Allegri defended his players publicly, and sporting director Giovanni Manna moved to quash dismissal talk before the Bodo/Glimt match, stating the coach was not in question and that the club simply needed results.

The injury picture remains a concern. Alisson Santos, who had only just returned from a previous problem, suffered a recurrence against Venezia and faces another extended spell on the sidelines. On a more positive note, Allegri confirmed after the Bodo/Glimt match that Antonio Vergara has recovered faster than expected from the injury he picked up on international duty and could feature against Roma.

Napoli sit ninth in Serie A with ten points from seven games, and Saturday's home fixture against Roma at the Maradona offers a chance to build on the momentum from Tuesday's European result.