Lucca's €35m question: can a tactical reset unlock his header

Napoli aren't scoring enough, and even the head coach knows it. After the 1-1 draw in Florence, Allegri told Dazn: "We're leaving very angry." Politano was blunter: "We're missing the killer instinct in front of goal, otherwise you don't take games home."

The forward from Moncalieri, signed from Udinese for €35m, still hasn't found his place in Napoli's attack. It's a heavy investment for a side that sits ninth on 7 points from 5 games as of Tuesday 22 September 2026. The transfer window has been shut for 21 days, and it stays shut until 2 January — so Napoli have to make this squad work as it is.

Lucca's quality is well known: 2 metres tall, with the leap and timing to win headers. In a Napoli attack that has struggled to break down crowded penalty areas so far this season, that ability could become a real weapon instead of sitting unused.

The header as an escape route

Using it properly would mean building a tactical setup around him: either a system that produces more crosses into the box, or a structure with an attacking midfielder ready to pick up Lucca's knockdowns. Some have even floated pairing him with Højlund up front — though Højlund himself has spent this start to the season looking for space outside the box rather than in it.

Allegri is a pragmatic coach who has always valued strikers who can hold up play as a focal point, and he knows this kind of solution well. But with a team coming off two heavy defeats and a draw that stings, the change of shape hasn't appeared on the pitch yet. Meanwhile, both inside the press and among supporters, more voices are asking what Napoli have to show for the €35m spent.

The next test comes on 10 October, when Napoli return to the Maradona against Frosinone. That's when it will become clear whether Allegri rebuilds the attack around Lucca's header, or whether the giant from Moncalieri remains an idea put off for another day.