Napoli's season is in serious trouble. Five games in, Allegri's side sit 9th in Serie A with just seven points, and reports describe it as the club's worst start in a decade. The results tell the story: a 2-1 home defeat to Como, a 3-2 loss at Inter, and a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina have left the club searching for answers on and off the pitch.

The injury list is making matters worse. Alessandro Buongiorno, who was meant to anchor the defence, required surgery in the summer and remains a long way from returning. Frank Anguissa suffered a muscle injury at Fiorentina and faces time on the sidelines. Most concerning is the situation surrounding Scott McTominay: after returning to training following heart surgery, reports now suggest his comeback could be delayed further, potentially ruling him out of both upcoming Serie A and Champions League fixtures. The latest blow arrived during the international break, with Costantino Favasuli picking up a muscle injury on Under-21 duty.

There are small reasons for optimism. David Neres showed encouraging signs at Fiorentina after months out with an ankle injury, while Kevin De Bruyne scored twice for Belgium against Turkey, signalling he arrives back at Castelvolturno in strong form. Napoli host Frosinone on October 10, a match that Allegri is expected to approach with a new tactical setup, making it a critical early test of whether this squad can turn its season around.