Allegri: ‘De Bruyne can do well in deeper role’ with Napoli 3-4-3 formation

Max Allegri explains why he changed Napoli to a 3-4-3 formation against surprise package Frosinone, insisting 'Kevin De Bruyne can do very well' in a deeper role.

It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Billy Gilmour of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Stadio Artemio Franchi on September 20, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Scott McTominay is back on the bench a month after surgery to correct a mild benign arrhythmia, but Antonio Vergara picked up an injury on international duty with Italy.

He is therefore out of action along with Costantino Favasuli, Alisson Santos, Frank Anguissa, Mathias Olivera and Alessandro Buongiorno.

Napoli adopt a 3-4-3 formation with Benoit Badiashile getting his first start since the loan move from Chelsea, while Alex Meret, David Neres and Leonardo Spinazzola have all recovered.

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Massimiliano Allegri, Manager of Napoli, reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

"McTominay isn't at 100 per cent, Anguissa is out, so I preferred to rest Gilmour and try to give Lobotka some minutes, while De Bruyne can do very well in that position," Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.

"We have more defensive players down the right, as Matteo Politano wasn't in great shape over the last few days. He can be a useful substitute, like Lorenzo Lucca and Giovane."

The Partenopei go into Week 6 sitting three points behind newly promoted Frosinone, who have been the big surprise package of the season so far, including a 2-0 victory over Como.

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Massimiliano Allegri, Manager of Napoli, gestures during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

"We know the difficulties of this game, as Frosinone are a very direct team, they have a lot of enthusiasm and a high press."

This is also because Napoli had a tough fixture list, losing back-to-back games with Como and Inter, plus a disappointing 1-1 draw against Fiorentina.

"Now we have nine games in a row between Serie A and the Champions League. We dropped points with a few errors, if you have the right determination on the ball, you can score more goals, but if you don't have determination at the back, then you struggle to defend too," added Allegri.