Napoli’s early-season numbers point to an attacking debt as much as an attacking problem. After six matches, Massimiliano Allegri’s side have scored only seven goals, while 36 goals from last season’s group are presently unavailable through injury, recovery, limited fitness or departures.
The shortage has reflected a broader collective struggle, but it also has a clear personnel explanation. Napoli are waiting for players who supplied decisive goals across the previous campaign, with Scott McTominay at the head of that list.
Quick facts
- Napoli have scored seven goals in their first six matches.
- Thirty-six goals from last season’s squad are currently missing from the team’s output.
- McTominay contributed 14 goals last term after scoring 13 in 2024-25.
- David Neres scored six goals last season and has recently returned to the group.
- Elmas, Gutierrez and Romelu Lukaku have left, taking three goals between them.
McTominay has become far more than a midfielder in Naples. He has scored 27 times across two seasons for the club, following 13 goals in the 2024-25 campaign with 14 more last year in league and cup football.
The Scot was the outstanding figure in Napoli’s title-winning season under Antonio Conte, effectively adding the output of another centre-forward. Allegri had him available only against Genoa and Como this season before a mild benign cardiac arrhythmia was detected.
McTominay subsequently underwent an ablation procedure and is expected to return to training soon. His absence has removed a player capable of deciding tight matches from midfield, precisely the sort of contribution Napoli now need while their attack searches for rhythm.
David Neres is next on the list of last season’s scorers waiting to make a fuller impact. The Brazilian scored six goals, all across a short spell before a lengthy absence, and has only recently returned.
He has not yet started a match and is still building his physical condition. Against Fiorentina at the Franchi, however, he came close to opening the scoring and then produced the pass for a Favasuli effort denied by David de Gea.
The international break may offer Neres time to close the gap in fitness. Allegri will hope that his return gives Napoli a different attacking outlet, rather than leaving the side dependent on the same limited sources of goals.
Alisson and Frank Anguissa each scored four times last season. Both had the potential to reach double figures: Anguissa was stopped after a strong run of performances and individual awards, while Alisson only joined Napoli from Sporting Lisbon in January.
Spinazzola supplied three goals and missed only the Fiorentina match. Allegri had been able to count on him through the Bologna fixture and expects to have him back shortly.
Sam Beukema scored twice last season and is now available after overcoming the physical issues that affected his summer. He has not made his Napoli debut yet, but that opportunity is approaching.
There are also three goals that cannot be recovered from within the current squad. Eljif Elmas returned to RB Leipzig after his loan and is now with Maurizio Sarri’s Atalanta, Gutierrez was sold to Bayer Leverkusen, and Romelu Lukaku joined Fenerbahce.
Each of those players scored once last season. A single goal can alter the course of a long Serie A campaign, as Conte knows from Lukaku’s strike at Verona, the lone goal of the Belgian’s difficult final period in blue.
Allegri’s immediate task is therefore not simply to wait for McTominay, Neres and the others. Napoli must develop new scorers and restore the edge in front of goal that was missing at the Franchi, while the players who shaped last year’s numbers work their way back into the season.
