Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Alisson Santos are officially back in Napoli’s travelling squad for Saturday’s Serie A clash away against Venezia, a move that couldn’t come soon enough for a team that desperately needs a morale boost. The Partenopei are coming off a tough week, slipping to their second Champions League defeat in as many matches after that brutal 3-1 loss to Villarreal earlier this week.
Key Players Return as Allegri’s Hot Seat Warms Up
This is huge news for Napoli, especially with the pressure mounting on head coach Massimiliano Allegri. Anguissa, who has been sidelined for the last two matches dealing with an adductor issue, is back and available for selection. Remember Alisson? He’s been out since mid-September with a hamstring injury, but he’s also been named in the squad ready to face Venezia. Plus, Giovane, who couldn’t play against Villarreal because he’s not on their UEFA squad list, is ready to roll for this Serie A match. Getting these guys back in the mix is critical, especially when you look at Allegri’s start to the season. He’s lost four of his first eight matches as Napoli head coach, which is more defeats than any other Partenopei head coach has suffered at the start of a new season in 17 years. Yikes, right?
A Must-Win Match to Turn the Tide
This Saturday’s game against Venezia isn’t just another match; it’s an absolute must-win scenario if Napoli wants to stop the bleeding and lift team morale. Venezia is sitting dead last, 20th in the Serie A standings, and they haven’t picked up a single point after six matches of the 2026-27 season. This is the definition of an opportunity. Allegri has confirmed the full 22-man squad that will be making the trip, and it’s stacked with talent. On top of Anguissa and Alisson, the squad includes goalkeepers Nikita Contini, Alex Meret, and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. The defense boasts Benoit Badiashile, Sam Beukema, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Luca Marianucci, Rafa Marin, Mathias Olivera, Amir Rrahmani, and Leonardo Spinazzola. In midfield, they’ve got Kevin De Bruyne, Billy Gilmour, Stanislav Lobotka, and Scott McTominay. Up front, alongside Alisson and Giovane, there’s Rasmus Hojlund, Noa Lang, Lorenzo Lucca, and Matteo Politano. This is a formidable group that should absolutely be able to handle a struggling Venezia side.
The stage is set for Napoli to try and turn things around this Saturday. They’re on the road against 20th-placed Venezia, a team without a single point this season, and the pressure is on. This isn’t just a game; it’s a statement. Allegri needs this win to quiet the critics, and the team needs it to regain some confidence heading deeper into the season. It’s time to see what this squad is truly made of.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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