Napoli take their growing momentum to Florence on Sunday with Massimiliano Allegri treating the visit to Fiorentina as an important point in the early Serie A season, both for the result itself and for what it may allow the squad to build after the international break.
The lunchtime match at the Franchi, scheduled for 12:30 on Sunday 20 September, is Napoli’s fifth league fixture. Allegri believes it closes a short but significant stretch before a 21-day pause, when he hopes a fuller squad and improved physical condition will be available for the next stage of the campaign.
Before discussing the match, the Napoli coach offered his condolences to the family of Sandro Mazzola, who has died aged 83. Allegri described Mazzola as an important figure for Italian football, Inter and the national team.
A test before the break
Napoli arrive encouraged by their victory over Bologna, a result Allegri said had helped the group. Yet he warned that Fiorentina will present a different and demanding assignment in a stadium where visiting teams traditionally face a difficult afternoon.
Fiorentina come into the game after winning in Venice and advancing in the Coppa Italia. Allegri called them a technical side and placed the Florence trip among the season’s most consequential fixtures, given the chance it offers Napoli to restart strongly after the break.
“We are improving, and the win against Bologna did us good,” Allegri said. “But it will not be easy against a Fiorentina side coming from a good result in Venice and a Coppa Italia qualification. They are a technical team and Florence is always a difficult place to play.”
He added that Napoli want to finish this mini-cycle well before returning in three weeks with more players available and a stronger overall condition.
Anguissa available, De Bruyne expected to start
Allegri said the Napoli squad is in reasonably good shape, although Leonardo Spinazzola has suffered a muscle fatigue problem and is expected to return only after the international break.
Frank Anguissa has nevertheless been included in the group after training with the team on Saturday morning. He had worked separately during the week, but Allegri said he can be used if required.
Kevin De Bruyne is fit and is expected to begin the match. David Neres has also recovered, having shown clear progress during training, though Allegri stressed that returning to full match sharpness requires time on the pitch as well as work at the training ground.
On Noa Lang, Allegri was direct: the player can offer more, and is aware of that expectation.
Young players under protection
The coach also welcomed the Under-21 international recognition for Vergara and Favasuli, presenting it as a positive moment for the club as well as the two players.
Vergara had already attracted attention last season and is now developing in both technical and tactical terms, Allegri said. Favasuli’s early contributions against Bologna and Arsenal have been particularly striking, even if the coach urged caution around a player with considerable room to grow.
“Nobody expected such an important impact from him against Bologna and Arsenal,” Allegri said of Favasuli. “But things should not be forced. He has plenty of room to improve and needs to be left calm.”
Allegri underlined that Napoli’s experienced players must carry the principal responsibility, while the younger members of the squad should bring their energy and enthusiasm.
Recovery work after Florence
The trip to Fiorentina is therefore followed by a recovery period that could reshape Napoli’s options. Scott McTominay and Alex Meret are expected back after the break, while Allegri could not give the same certainty over Marianucci.
For the coach, the priority is to bring every injured player back into contention over the longer season. With five substitutions available and recent rule changes influencing how matches develop, Allegri believes the final half-hour can now alter a game entirely.
Napoli’s immediate task, however, is simpler: leave Florence with points, protect the progress made against Bologna, and enter the break with their next chapter better prepared.
