Naples: from Beukema to Neres, who is still waiting for their moment

There is a Naples side seen on the pitch amid applause and criticism, and there is a Naples that has yet to show itself. As Il Mattino reports, several Azzurri players have so far accumulated very few minutes, and Massimiliano Allegri is counting on them to restart after the break to attempt a comeback following a difficult start to the season.

The cases of Beukema and Giovane

At the top of the list are Sam Beukema and Giovane, stuck at zero minutes played. The Dutchman has never taken the pitch due to physical condition not yet at its best, but according to Il Mattino his statistics - 86% of successful passes in the opposition half this season, among the best defenders in the league for forward passes - make him a potential resource for an Azzurri attack in difficulty. Giovane, Brazilian, will return this week and could act both as an offensive winger and as an alternative to Hojlund as a striker.

Badiashile and Neres, the special cases under watch

Benoit Badiashile has totalled just 10 minutes, all at the end of the match in Milan against Inter, and has not recovered to 100% since: he will be tested during the break, also in friendlies scheduled. More pressing is the case of David Neres: after his injury in January he has never regained his levels, stuck at 84 minutes overall. With Alisson Santos unavailable until the end of October and Lang's performances judged insufficient, according to Il Mattino it will be Neres himself who will have to carry on his shoulders an attack that is struggling to take off, perhaps rediscovering his understanding with Hojlund that had worked last year.

The positive notes

Among the few encouraging signs is Favasuli, the season's best surprise despite just 95 minutes played, all convincing. Along with him also Vergara, with 162 minutes, called upon to confirm himself so as not to remain an isolated episode.

Meanwhile the team prepares for the away trip against Porto, valid for the fourth day, as reported by Corriere dello Sport and other sports sources.