Allegri De Bruyne can do well in deeper role with Napoli 3-4-3 formation

FolioPitch.com – 11 October 2026 | Napoli coach Massimiliano Allegri has revealed that Kevin De Bruyne can thrive in a deeper midfield role as he switches to a 3-4-3 formation for the Serie A clash against high-flying Frosinone. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia ahead of the match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Allegri explained that injuries have forced him to reshuffle his midfield, but he remains confident that Allegri De Bruyne can do well in deeper role with Napoli 3-4-3 formation.

“McTominay isn’t at 100 per cent, Anguissa is out, so I preferred to rest Gilmour and try to give Lobotka some minutes, while De Bruyne can do very well in that position,” Allegri said. The Belgian playmaker, known for his vision and passing range, will be tasked with dictating play from a deeper position, a role that Allegri believes suits his attributes perfectly.

The switch to a 3-4-3 also sees Benoit Badiashile make his first start since joining on loan from Chelsea, while Alex Meret, David Neres, and Leonardo Spinazzola have all recovered from their respective issues. However, Napoli remain without Antonio Vergara, who picked up an injury on international duty with Italy, as well as Costantino Favasuli, Alisson Santos, Frank Anguissa, Mathias Olivera, and Alessandro Buongiorno.

Allegri’s decision to deploy De Bruyne in a deeper role is a tactical gamble that could pay dividends, especially given the player’s ability to launch counter-attacks and pick out passes from deep. The coach also highlighted the importance of having more defensive players down the right, with Matteo Politano not in great shape over the last few days. “He can be a useful substitute, like Lorenzo Lucca and Giovane,” Allegri added.

Napoli go into Week 6 sitting three points behind newly promoted Frosinone, who have been the surprise package of the season so far, including a 2-0 victory over Como. Allegri acknowledged the difficulties of the game, saying: “We know the difficulties of this game, as Frosinone are a very direct team, they have a lot of enthusiasm and a high press.”

The Partenopei have had a tough fixture list, losing back-to-back games with Como and Inter, plus a disappointing 1-1 draw against Fiorentina. “Now we have nine games in a row between Serie A and the Champions League. We dropped points with a few errors, if you have the right determination on the ball, you can score more goals, but if you don’t have determination at the back, then you struggle to defend too,” Allegri explained.

With the season entering a crucial phase, Allegri’s faith in De Bruyne’s versatility could be a key factor in Napoli’s pursuit of consistency. The coach’s comments suggest that he sees the Belgian as a central figure in his plans, and the 3-4-3 formation may unlock new dimensions in Napoli’s play. As the match against Frosinone approaches, all eyes will be on De Bruyne to see if he can indeed do well in a deeper role with Napoli’s 3-4-3 formation.

In conclusion, Allegri’s tactical adjustment and his confidence in De Bruyne’s ability to adapt could prove to be a masterstroke. If the Belgian can replicate his usual high standards in a deeper position, Napoli may find the balance they need to climb the Serie A table and compete on multiple fronts. The coming weeks will reveal whether this experiment becomes a permanent feature of Napoli’s setup.