Allegri present: Napoli vs Villarreal in 3‑5‑2, Football in focus

Tonight Napoli is set to face Villarreal away, lining up a solid 3‑5‑2, as Il Mattino reports. Coach Antonio Allegri emphasized the need for a three‑man defence to cover the flanks against the Spanish push and to manage the key players' energy in a decisive week.

Defensive scheme with three

In front of the posts the rear three recently seen at the Maradona is reassembled, led by the wing‑back Vanja Milinkovic‑Savic. The defensive hinge starts from Rafa Marín in the centre, flanked by Benoit Badiashile and Amir Rrahmani, a line that aims for continuity and physical strength against the Submarino Amarillo's attack.

In the wide area, Matteo Politano returns to the starting XI as a “fifth hybrid”, called upon to push forward and retreat to contain the left‑hand chain led by Alberto Moleiro. On the opposite side, captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo is shifted to the left to allow Leonardo Spinazzola to breathe.

Rafa Marín at the centre of the debate: Villarreal ready to bring him back to Napoli

In midfield, Stanislav Lobotka remains on the bench; the keys to the game pass to Billy Gilmour, supported by the physicality of Scott McTominay, both on the pitch from the first minute.

In attack, the fixed point remains Rasmus Højlund. Behind him, Giovane, fresh from the last league outing against Frosinone, is ready for his absolute debut in the continental tournament after being added to the list a few days ago.

The main alternative remains Noa Lang, clearly ahead of David Neres, who is initially destined for the bench to manage recovery rhythms.