Napoli’s new defence: Buongiorno, Beukema start, Spinazzola or Olivera | OneFootball

Napoli is preparing to return to the field on Saturday, September 13 against Fiorentina at the Franchi. Antonio Conte will have to do without Romelu Lukaku, who is still sidelined, and Amir Rrahmani, forced to stop after the muscle injury suffered during the break with his national team.

Napoli, a new pair in defense: Buongiorno and Beukema against Fiorentina. Spinazzola-Olivera, it's a toss-up

Without the Kosovar center-back, it will be up to Sam Beukema and Alessandro Buongiorno to form the new defensive pair that will have to contain Moise Kean, Fiorentina's center-forward.

Buongiorno ahead of Juan Jesus

According to what was reported by Corriere dello Sport, Buongiorno is favored over Juan Jesus to start alongside Beukema. The defensive line will be completed by Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the right, while on the left the toss-up between Spinazzola and Olivera remains, waiting for the full recovery of Miguel Gutierrez.

The return of Neres and the long wait for Lukaku

Good news in attack: David Neres, absent against Cagliari due to fatigue, is ready to return. For Lukaku, however, more time will be needed, despite the recovery is proceeding positively.

Beukema, Serie A debut with the blue jersey

As La Repubblica points out, the absence of Rrahmani is indeed heavy, since the Kosovar defender is one of Conte's loyalists and was almost always a starter in the last championship. However, the coach will be able to rely on the depth of a squad enriched by the summer market.

For Sam Beukema, who arrived from Bologna as the third most expensive purchase of Napoli after Højlund (if the 45 million buyout is exercised) and Lorenzo Lucca, the time for the official debut in the blue jersey is therefore approaching.

Conte's new challenge

Conte will have to rely on a new but already well-structured defense. Buongiorno and Beukema will have the opportunity to prove their worth in a delicate match, against an opponent who has in the lanes and the speed of Kean its main strengths.

The match at the Franchi will represent an important test both for the new additions and for the tactical setup studied by the Salento coach.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.