Massimiliano Allegri has explained why he was quite so worked up after his side’s 1-1 draw against Fiorentina just before the international break and has come up with an interesting theory as to why the Partenopei have been struggling so much with injuries in the early stages of the 2026-27 season: ‘Players in Europe end up playing an extra six or seven games over the course of the season’.

Napoli are back in Serie A action at home against Frosinone at 19.45 BST on Saturday evening after the extra-long September-October international break.

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)

The international break has not been particularly kind to Allegri, who was already struggling with an injury pile-up and has now lost Antonio Vergara and Costantino Favasuli for several weeks each. Mathias Olivera was also injured while on international duty with Uruguay.

However, Allegri was able to confirm during his pre-match press conference that Scott McTominay will be available to feature off the bench following his return to action after a minor heart procedure in September.

“The news is that McTominay will be called up and we will have him available for at least 20-30 minutes,” Allegri confirmed (via TMW ).

“Right now, we’ve lost Vergara and Favasuli for a longer period, but Olivera should be okay within a week. Anguissa is recovering. We’ve got Marianucci coming back in as well as Badiashile, who has come on a lot, we’ve also got Marin, so I’m not worried.”

NAPLES, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Massimiliano Allegri SSC Napoli head coach before the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Bologna FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 13, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)