Napoli have lost Alisson Santos again just as the Brazilian had returned to the squad, with the forward facing another spell on the sidelines after suffering a fresh left hamstring injury.
The decision
Tests carried out at Pineta Grande Hospital confirmed a moderate strain to the left biceps femoris, the same muscle problem that ruled Alisson out following Napoli’s Champions League meeting with Arsenal on 9 September.
The 38-day absence that followed had only recently come to an end. His latest setback arrived during Napoli’s defeat to Venezia, when he felt the problem while taking his final shot of the match. Allegri had already indicated in his post-match comments that the injury had occurred in that action.
Napoli said the player has begun his rehabilitation programme. The expected recovery period is between five and six weeks, with the club hoping he can return to contention after the November international break.
It is a frustrating interruption for a player seeking rhythm after his earlier lay-off, and it removes another option from Allegri during a demanding stretch across league and European competition.
Sunday’s picture
Alisson is set to miss this week’s Champions League fixture against Bodo/Glimt and the Serie A meeting with Roma. His likely absence will also extend to matches against Monza, Juventus, Porto and Lazio.
For Napoli, the Venezia defeat has therefore brought a cost beyond the result itself. The next phase of the season will require Allegri to manage a crowded run of fixtures without Alisson, while the Brazilian works towards a second return from the same injury in little more than two months.
