According to Italian media outlet Calciomercato, Napoli may switch to a three-man defense after the international break, with Buongiorno expected to return.

Allegri needs to make adjustments for Napoli. The team has only managed seven points in the first five rounds and must pick up the pace, otherwise the gap with direct competitors could widen further. Inter Milan, Roma, and Lazio all have 13 points, AC Milan has 11 points, and Cagliari has been the dark horse in recent rounds.

Qualifying for the Champions League is Napoli's minimum goal this season. After the international break, Napoli will face Frosinone, who just beat Como 3-0 and are one of the best-performing teams at the start of the season.

Napoli needs to regain its compactness and confidence. More importantly, after the international break, the team expects Buongiorno to return, and he will partner with Amir Rrahmani and Rafa Marín in defense. The biggest change in the coming rounds will likely be a switch to a three-man defense, a system the team has already practiced in recent training sessions.

Buongiorno's Role

According to the Sports Post, Allegri has been testing Buongiorno in the right-sided center-back position of a three-man defense system, a role he also played under Allegri previously.

He is expected to play against Avellino this morning. Avellino, coached by Alessio Nesta, will allow Buongiorno to further integrate with Rrahmani and Rafa Marín. These three were the starting center-back trio in the four-man defense system during the first five rounds.

Conceding Goals Crisis

Napoli's seven points from the first five rounds also correspond to the number of goals the team has conceded. Napoli has only kept a clean sheet against Bologna so far.

Allegri has always placed great importance on defense. He built the team primarily relying on overall compactness, and is now trying to restore that at the Castel Volturno training ground.

For Napoli's match against Frosinone, the team must increase its tempo, and this might start with a change in formation.

Defensive Alternatives

The team's idea is to restart with a three-man defense: Buongiorno as the right center-back, Rrahmani in the center, and Rafa Marín on the left. However, this is not the only option. Di Lorenzo will join the rotation upon his return, and Badiashile is also waiting to fully enter the rotation after a poor debut against Inter Milan at home.

Di Lorenzo has played as a right center-back, and Oliveira can also fill the left center-back position, having even played center-back in a four-man defense for the Uruguayan national team. Marianucci can also play, both centrally and on the right.

How Napoli Might Play

If they switch to a three-man defense, possible formations would be the classic 3-5-2, or 3-4-2-1, to fully utilize the creativity of the players behind Hojlund.

The right side of the midfield could be occupied by Politano and Di Lorenzo, while on the left, Spinazzola is expected to return next week for full training, and Oliveira could also play there. In the center, while waiting for McTominay's full recovery and Anguissa's return, Gilmour, Lobotka, and Cajuste can all feature. Vergara can also play as a central midfielder.

Behind Hojlund, Neres and Noah Lang can play as attacking midfielders in a 3-4-2-1 or as shadow strikers in a 3-5-2. Giacomo Raspadori is another option as a substitute for the Dane.

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