Napoli’s season appears to have found a different rhythm after the international break, with Aurelio De Laurentiis’ patience in Max Allegri beginning to look well placed. Faced with injuries and a reduced squad, the coach has reshaped the side around greater attacking quality, and the response has been the most convincing display of this new cycle.
An attacking Napoli takes shape
The switch to a three-man defence was the clearest structural change, but Napoli’s transformation was defined more by the players placed around the ball. Kevin De Bruyne operated deeper alongside Stanislav Lobotka, while David Neres and Noa Lang supported Rasmus Hojlund from advanced wide positions.
It gave Napoli more technical control and several players capable of deciding the game in the final third. What initially looked like a bold solution, born partly from necessity, instead allowed the team to press with authority, defend effectively and build attacks through different areas of the pitch.
- De Bruyne moved back to work closer to Lobotka in the first phase of possession.
- Neres and Lang returned as the attacking pair behind Hojlund.
- Napoli combined their stronger attacking intent with disciplined work without the ball.
- The team created danger across the width and through the centre against Massimiliano Alvini’s side.
It was a Napoli with more initiative than in the opening part of the campaign, one capable of holding territory rather than merely reacting to circumstances.
De Bruyne leads, Lang scores and Neres returns
De Bruyne was at the centre of everything, reading passing lanes and repeatedly finding openings in the opposing defence. His influence was not confined to possession: his willingness to contribute defensively added another dimension to a performance that underlined his importance to Allegri.
The Belgian also continued his decisive run in front of goal. His two goals made him Napoli’s leading scorer of the season, following his prominent role for Belgium during the international window. The discussion around his age carries less weight when he is playing with this authority and intensity.
There were encouraging signs around him. Neres started for the first time in nine months and brought energy to the attack, even if he is still working towards the sharpness of his best period. Napoli know the Brazilian can become a major threat again, as he showed during last season’s Supercoppa.
Lang scored his second Napoli goal. The Dutchman has yet to show consistently in Italy the level that made him such a difficult player to contain at PSV, and his early months were also marked by a disciplinary omission from a match. Yet his understanding with Neres, close away from football as well as on the pitch, offered a promising attacking connection.
Important returns before a demanding month
The victory brought more than tactical encouragement. Scott McTominay returned to the Maradona pitch after his heart operation and received a warm reception from the home crowd. It was a reminder of the midfielder’s standing within the club and of how much his availability could matter to supporters, team-mates and Allegri.
Giovane also made his return after a lengthy absence. He supplied the assist for De Bruyne’s goal that completed the evening, adding another positive note to a performance Napoli will hope can serve as a reference point.
- McTominay is back following heart surgery.
- Giovane returned after a long spell out and set up De Bruyne.
- Anguissa, Alisson, Olivera, Vergara, Favasuli and Buongiorno remain unavailable.
Allegri’s next examination
The timing of the improvement matters. Napoli are about to begin a run of nine matches in 29 days, a stretch that will test both Allegri’s revised approach and the depth of a group still missing several players.
There is no suggestion that the injury problems have disappeared, but the team now look more connected than they did before the break. If Napoli can preserve the balance seen in this performance — technical control, attacking ambition and collective defensive effort — they will be capable of troubling any opponent in the Serie A season ahead.
