Conte preparing new Napoli centre-back pairing after Rrahmani injury | OneFootball

Monday’s reports suggest that Antonio Conte is inclined to field a new centre-back pairing for Napoli’s next Serie A match after the international break, with Amir Rrahmani a doubt and Alessandro Buongiorno working his way back to full fitness.

Despite bringing in Sam Beukema from Bologna at a cost of €31m during the summer transfer window, Conte has stuck with a familiar centre-back pairing of Rrahmani and Juan Jesus for his first two Serie A matches of the season.

That could change for their next fixture against Fiorentina, as Buongiorno is reportedly pushing for a starting spot, while Rrahmani remains a doubt after picking up an injury while away on international duty with Kosovo.

New Napoli centre-back pairing being prepared for Fiorentina

SASSUOLO, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, shouts instructions during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and SSC Napoli at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on August 23, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Rrahmani was ruled out of Kosovo’s upcoming test against Sweden on Monday evening, and has instead returned to Napoli for further assessment on a muscular injury. It remains unlikely that he starts against Fiorentina on Saturday.

Reports suggest that summer signing Beukema is in line to replace Rrahmani.

Additionally, reports from TMW and Corriere dello Sport on Monday claim that Buongiorno is pushing to be available as a starter against Fiorentina.

NAPLES, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Alessandro Buongiorno of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 30, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

The Italy international was kept out of the starting line-up for the first two matches of the season after having surgery on his groin over the summer, but came off the bench at half-time against Cagliari last weekend and provided the match-winning assist for Frank Anguissa’s stoppage-time winner.

That means that there is an increasing possibility that Conte goes with an all-new centre-back pairing of Beukema and Buongiorno for the Fiorentina clash on Saturday.