Napoli's difficult start to the 2026/27 season deepened on Sunday when they fell 2-0 at Juventus, a result that leaves them 8th in Serie A with 14 points from 10 games and already 14 points off the top of the table. The defeat exposed familiar problems: a fragile defence, a lack of cohesion in midfield, and a worrying dependence on individuals who are now missing. Kevin De Bruyne, who was substituted at half-time in Turin, suffered an ankle injury that adds to an already stretched squad. Rasmus Hojlund also missed the Juventus game through illness, and Amir Rrahmani was only fit enough for the bench.

The injury situation has since worsened. Manager Massimiliano Allegri, who served a touchline ban at the Allianz Stadium and watched from the stands, now faces the prospect of travelling to Porto for a Champions League fixture on Wednesday without a recognised full-back available on either side. Noa Lang is expected to be deployed in an unfamiliar defensive role as a result.

Allegri's position is not yet under open threat, but the numbers tell a stark story. Last season, under Antonio Conte, Napoli were top of Serie A after ten games. The contrast with the current campaign is sharp, and with Porto next up in Europe, the club needs a response quickly. How Allegri navigates this injury crisis will go a long way to defining where this season is heading.