Napoli have conceded 17 goals in 11 games, and it is a system problem

Napoli have conceded 17 goals in 11 games, an average of 1.54 a match. That means starting every game knowing they must score at least two to win it.

Inter have also conceded ten in the league. But they have scored 23 to Napoli's 13 and have 22 points, double Napoli's 11. Napoli are tenth after eight rounds. Same goals against, opposite table.

Only three games have ended without a goal conceded, all in Serie A: Genoa, Bologna and Frosinone. In the last two matches, the best of the season for attacking output, against Bodø/Glimt and Roma, Napoli conceded six. They finished 4-3 and 3-3: plenty of goals scored, not enough wins.

The fault is in the system

The standard explanation is individual errors. There are some. On Saturday 24 October Beukema was disastrous. At Venezia, Rrahmani lost his one-on-one with Adams. At San Siro against Inter, Rrahmani went to ground before Thuram's goal made it 2-2 and Badiashile was beaten to the ball. But when individual errors form a series, the problem is collective.

The numbers on Rrahmani point the same way. With him on the pitch, Napoli concede 0.7 goals a game. Without him, about 1.7. A defence that depends on one player is not an organised defence.

Badiashile, who had been finding a balance alongside Rafa Marín, is out again. He will miss Monza, Juventus and Porto, a layoff of about two months. Beukema has not convinced, and the time will come to try Marianucci.

Allegri cannot build a season on scoring three or four goals every night. It does not always happen, and when the attack stalls, as it did at Venezia, Napoli lose. His comments in the heated aftermath about a new way of playing count for little. The team needs defensive principles that hold when a game goes badly.

The head coach, whose contract runs to 30 June 2029, has been asked to finish fourth. Napoli have 11 points.

Next up is Monza, on Wednesday 28 October at 20:45 CET (19:45 UK, 14:45 ET) at the U-Power Stadium. They have 7 points. A team that cannot keep a clean sheet against anyone cannot afford another slip. It is almost November, and if the fault is not found now, it is already late.