Rrahmani and Lobotka return for Monza as De Bruyne drops to the bench

Napoli make three changes after the 3-3 draw with Roma, and Giovane comes back into the front three for Wednesday's game at the U-Power Stadium, which kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 UK, 15:45 ET).

by Gennaro SanninoMonday 26 October, 20:08 CET· 13 hours ago

Monza-Napoli, Allegri cambia tre uomini: tornano Rrahmani e Lobotka, De Bruyne parte dalla panchina — Grafica Arena Napoli

Napoli make three changes to the side that drew 3-3 with Roma on Saturday. Rrahmani, Lobotka and Giovane all return to the starting XI for Wednesday 28 October against Monza.

Rrahmani missed the Roma game at the Maradona with flu. He now goes back into the centre of defence alongside Rafa Marín. Lobotka takes over as the holding midfielder who runs the play, in place of De Bruyne. De Bruyne starts on the bench and is ready to come on during the game.

Why Rrahmani matters

Rrahmani's return is the change that counts most. With the Kosovan on the pitch, Napoli concede between 0.69 and 0.72 goals a game. Without him, the figure is about 1.7.

Nobody can ignore those numbers. Against Roma, Napoli let in two goals between the 74th and 89th minutes. They have now conceded 17 goals in 11 games across Serie A and the Champions League. Rrahmani coming back is the most solid piece of news before this game, and it is needed: the defence goes to Monza with more absences than certainties.

Olivera stays at left-back because Spinazzola is out with a low-grade injury to the biceps femoris, the hamstring, in his right thigh. Badiashile came off early in the second half against Roma with a medium-grade injury to his right rectus femoris, part of the quadriceps. He will miss Monza, Juventus and Porto. Twelve Napoli players have been injured so far this season. Sooner or later the fitness staff will have to answer for that.

Goals wanted up front

Politano and Højlund keep their places in attack. Højlund cost about €50m. He has two goals and has not scored since Saturday 5 September. At Monza the striker has to show something different, because right now McTominay is carrying all the weight of the scoring.

Giovane comes back into the front three in place of Lang, who drops out of the rotation. Giovane is still waiting for his first goal for Napoli as well.

No excuses

The rotation makes sense. Napoli played on Saturday, and in a few days they go to Turin to face Juventus before travelling to Porto. But the Roma draw leaves them tenth on 11 points. Monza have 7 and come into the game off a 3-2 result in Turin. The fixture list is no excuse here: whoever plays on Wednesday has to win.

Allegri is suspended and will not be on the touchline, so Landucci takes charge from the bench. Napoli need the three points at Monza before they think about anything else. Resting De Bruyne only makes sense if the team does not let another lead slip.