Porto vs Napoli Line-ups and Champions League Clash at Estadio do Dragao
Injury-hit Napoli visit Porto at the Estadio do Dragao in a crucial UEFA Champions League league phase fixture kicking off at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET), with manager Max Allegri facing a severe selection crisis that leaves him with just 13 outfield players available for selection. The Partenopei enter the match following a chaotic 4-3 win over Bodo/Glimt that secured their first European points of the campaign, contrasted against a domestic slump that culminated in a 2-0 defeat to Juventus on Sunday.
Manager Max Allegri has been forced to reshuffle his squad into a 3-5-2 formation due to a mounting absentee list that includes Stanislav Lobotka, Leonardo Spinazzola, Alisson Santos, Benoit Badiashile, Costantino Favasuli, David Neres, and Alessandro Buongiorno. Fresh injuries picked up against Juventus sidelined Kevin De Bruyne, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, and Mathias Olivera. While Di Lorenzo and Olivera stayed behind, De Bruyne made the trip to Portugal despite nursing a twisted ankle, though multiple sources report he is unlikely to start.
Billy Gilmour is expected to step into the central midfield to cover the depleted ranks alongside Scotland international teammate Scott McTominay. Meanwhile, striker Rasmus Hojlund returns to the matchday squad after missing the Juventus trip with flu symptoms, providing a welcome boost in attack where he is expected to partner with Giovane. FC Porto enter the fixture under the guidance of Italian coach Francesco Farioli, seeking their first points of the European campaign after opening with three consecutive defeats against Manchester City, Real Betis, and PSV Eindhoven, despite sitting five points clear at the top of the Portuguese domestic table.
📋 OFFICIAL LINEUP FC Porto vs SSC Napoli 📅 Wed 4 Nov 20:00 UTC · Champions League FC Porto (4-3-3): D. Costa · A. Costa · Kiwior · Bednarek · Fernandes · Froholdt · Rosario · Veiga · Pepê · Sainz · Silva SSC Napoli (4-3-3): Meret · Vergara · Marín · Rrahmani · Beukema ·… pic.twitter.com/Qx8jkgoXAv
Michael Oliver Officiates Match Broadcast Live on TNT Sports
English referee Michael Oliver takes charge of the proceedings at the Estadio do Dragao. Viewers in the UK and Ireland can watch the match live via TNT Sports 5 and HBO Max, while Football Italia provides live updates through its dedicated matchday liveblog.
Porto must manage their own injury concerns without Vasco Sousa, William Gomes, and former Roma defender Chris Smalling, while former Spezia defender Jakub Kiwior, former Juventus defender Alberto Costa, and former Milan strikers Andre Silva and Santiago Gimenez feature among the Portuguese squad.
Napoli Faces Bodo Glimt Following Recent Champions League Defeats
Before facing Bodo/Glimt, Napoli previously lost to Arsenal and Villarreal in the Champions League campaign. Their subsequent domestic run included a 3-3 draw with Roma and a 4-1 win away to Monza, prior to the 2-0 defeat against Juventus. Max Allegri has only 17 outfield players total, with three of those promoted from the youth team, while Luca Marianucci is ineligible for the competition. On the other side, Porto have scored two goals and conceded six across their opening three European matches. Francesco Farioli stated, A privilege and honour to share a touchline with Italian giant Allegri
ahead of the fixture.
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