Napoli’s international break has become another test of patience at Castel Volturno, where the treatment room remains as relevant as the pitch. Costantino Favasuli has returned early from Italy Under-21 duty after suffering a rectus femoris injury and has begun rehabilitation with the club.
The timing is awkward for Massimiliano Allegri, whose side are waiting for a number of players to move from recovery work back towards full training. Napoli’s next chapter after the pause may depend heavily on how quickly that group can be restored.
Quick facts
- Costantino Favasuli has left the Italy Under-21 camp with a rectus femoris lesion.
- Centre-back Luca Marianucci is targeting a return immediately after the international break.
- Alex Meret could resume training with the squad from Sunday.
- Brazilian forward Giovane is improving, although he is not yet fully fit.
- Scott McTominay is due for medical clearance tests on Tuesday, 6 October.
- McTominay has played 146 minutes across Napoli’s first two matches, against Genoa and Como.
Favasuli will remain at Castel Volturno rather than continue with the Under-21s, as Napoli attempt to shorten his absence through immediate therapy. His setback adds another name to a list that has already shaped the early weeks of the season.
Marianucci, by contrast, has been able to look ahead. The defender posted from Capri after months spent dealing with the consequences of the problem he sustained during Napoli’s summer camp in Castel di Sangro, and he hopes to be available once club football resumes.
Meret may be the first significant return, with the goalkeeper in line to rejoin group sessions from Sunday. Giovane is also progressing, though Napoli are still waiting for his condition to reach the required level before he can be considered fully recovered.
The date circled by the club is Tuesday, 6 October, when McTominay will undergo the examinations needed to obtain sporting fitness clearance and return to work alongside his team-mates. The midfielder has featured only against Genoa and Como so far, but his 146 minutes have been enough to underline his importance.
Allegri’s assessment has been straightforward: Napoli are a different side when McTominay is available. The coach will hope that, as the break closes, a squad diminished by absences can begin to regain its familiar shape.
