Napoli have suffered another injury setback ahead of their Serie A meeting with Fiorentina, with Leonardo Spinazzola missing training because of a thigh problem.
The latest setback adds to an already lengthy Napoli injury list and gives head coach Massimiliano Allegri another selection headache before Sunday’s trip to the Artemio Franchi.
Napoli’s official training report confirmed that Spinazzola did not participate in Friday’s session because of a mild contracture to the biceps femoris muscle in his right thigh. Frank Zambo Anguissa, meanwhile, continued with an individual training programme.
For Cambodian football fans following Serie A, the situation is particularly interesting because Napoli are entering a demanding part of the campaign while trying to find consistency under Allegri.
Napoli Face Growing Injury Problems
Spinazzola’s latest problem comes at an unfortunate time for Napoli.
The Italian champions have already been dealing with several fitness concerns during the opening weeks of the 2026/27 season. Scott McTominay has been unavailable following a heart procedure, while Alessandro Buongiorno, Luca Marianucci and Giovane have also been among the absentees.
Napoli subsequently suffered further concerns involving goalkeeper Alex Meret and forward Alisson Santos during their Champions League defeat to Arsenal. Meret experienced an adductor problem, while Alisson suffered a hamstring injury.
Now Spinazzola has joined the list.
Spinazzola’s Fitness Becomes a Concern
Spinazzola has been an important option for Napoli at left-back since joining the club.
The 33-year-old extended his Napoli contract until June 2028 in June, underlining the club’s continued commitment to the experienced defender. Napoli confirmed that he had made 72 appearances for the club and helped them win the Serie A title and the Italian Super Cup.
His latest injury is officially described as mild, which means the full extent of the problem will depend on how he responds in the coming days.
However, with Fiorentina approaching quickly, the timing is far from ideal.
Fiorentina Away Is a Difficult Test
Napoli travel to Florence on Sunday for their fifth Serie A match of the season.
The fixture will take place at the Artemio Franchi, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 local time. Napoli’s official fixture list confirms the match as their Matchday 5 encounter.
The match comes after Napoli returned to winning ways against Bologna, following a difficult run that included defeats against Como, Inter and Arsenal.
That victory provided some relief for Allegri, but the injury situation means the manager still has significant problems to solve.
Allegri Needs Stability
Napoli’s start to the campaign has been complicated by both results and fitness issues.
The team opened the Serie A season with a 2-0 victory away to Genoa but then lost 2-1 at home to Como before suffering a 3-2 defeat against Inter.
They also lost 1-0 to Arsenal in the Champions League, before recovering with a 1-0 Serie A victory against Bologna.
That sequence illustrates why maintaining squad depth is becoming increasingly important.
Allegri has already been forced to manage players carefully. Kevin De Bruyne, for example, was still not considered fully fit earlier in the campaign, while other players have been asked to take on increased responsibilities because of absences.
Spinazzola Injury Adds Another Selection Question
The biggest question now is whether Spinazzola will be fit enough to face Fiorentina.
Napoli’s latest official update does not confirm that he will miss the match. It only states that he did not take part in the September 18 training session because of the thigh contracture.
That distinction is important.
A mild muscular problem can develop differently depending on the player’s response to treatment and recovery. Napoli will therefore have to assess Spinazzola’s condition before deciding whether to risk him.
With an international break approaching, Allegri may also have to balance immediate needs against the importance of avoiding a more serious injury.
🟦 For Napoli, the priority will be maintaining defensive stability without unnecessarily increasing the injury list.
Who Could Replace Spinazzola?
If Spinazzola is unable to play, Allegri will need to adjust his defensive options.
Napoli have already had to rotate their back line because of injuries, meaning another change could affect both defensive balance and the team’s ability to build attacks from the left.
Spinazzola’s experience is particularly useful because he can provide width and support Napoli’s attacking transitions.
Replacing that contribution is not simply about finding another defender.
The replacement must also fit the team’s tactical structure.
Napoli’s Injury List Could Test Squad Depth
The situation demonstrates how quickly injuries can change the dynamics of a Serie A campaign.
Napoli entered the season with ambitions of competing at the top of Italian football, but a combination of domestic and European fixtures creates additional physical demands.
The Champions League has already increased the workload, while Serie A requires consistent performances every weekend.
When several first-team players are unavailable at the same time, squad depth becomes increasingly important.
Allegri will therefore need contributions from players who may not initially have been expected to play major roles.
The good news for Napoli is that they have already shown some ability to respond.
After losing three consecutive matches in all competitions, they secured a 1-0 win against Bologna. The result did not solve every problem, but it gave the team an opportunity to rebuild confidence before travelling to Florence.
Fiorentina Clash Comes at a Crucial Moment
Fiorentina will provide another demanding test.
The Viola have also experienced turbulence at the beginning of the season, with Paolo Vanoli returning to the dugout after Fabio Grosso’s departure. Fiorentina’s early campaign included defeats against Roma and Torino before the coaching change.
That makes Sunday’s fixture an important opportunity for both teams.
Napoli will want to build momentum from their Bologna victory, while Fiorentina will look to take advantage of home advantage and Napoli’s growing injury concerns.
The match could therefore be decided not only by individual quality but also by how effectively both managers manage their available squads.
What Spinazzola’s Injury Means for Napoli
Spinazzola’s absence from training is another warning sign for Napoli.
The club have not confirmed that he will definitely miss Fiorentina, so it would be premature to describe him as ruled out.
However, the timing is clearly a concern.
With McTominay, Buongiorno, Marianucci, Giovane, Meret, Alisson and other players having faced fitness problems during the opening part of the campaign, Allegri’s squad is being tested earlier than expected.
The Fiorentina match will reveal how well Napoli can cope.
Napoli Need More Than Just One Win
Napoli’s victory over Bologna was important, but the team now needs consistency.
The club’s next challenge is to maintain defensive organisation, manage the workload of key players and avoid adding more names to an already worrying injury list.
Spinazzola’s latest thigh issue is officially described as mild, but Napoli will be hoping it remains exactly that.
For Cambodian Serie A fans, Sunday’s Fiorentina-Napoli meeting promises plenty of intrigue.
Napoli have the quality to compete, but their growing injury list could make squad management just as important as tactics and individual performances.
The final decision on Spinazzola will depend on his recovery and the medical assessment before kick-off. Until Napoli provide another update, his availability should be treated as a question rather than a confirmed absence.
