Massimiliano Allegri confirmed on the eve of his side’s Serie A fixture that Kevin De Bruyne can operate as a deep-lying playmaker ahead of Saturday’s match against Roma at the Stadio Armando Maradona, while defender Amir Rrahmani has been dealing with a fever, Sky Sport reported.
Allegri Outlines De Bruyne's Tactical Flexibility
Speaking in a pre-match press conference covered by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Allegri outlined the tactical flexibility of his squad ahead of the crucial league meeting. The manager explained that players of De Bruyne’s technical profile can deploy directly in front of the defensive line or function within a double pivot midfield pairing.
The Napoli coach also pointed to squad depth options including Stanislav Lobotka and Billy Gilmour, noting that Lobotka’s heavy workload early in the campaign requires careful management during tight stretches of three matches in quick succession. Decisions regarding the starting lineup will be finalized following the team’s final training session, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Fitness Updates on Rrahmani and Midfield Options
Defensive solidity remains a core priority for the Azzurri as they prepare to counter an aggressive tactical setup. Allegri reported that central defender Amir Rrahmani has been dealing with a fever, though the rest of the defensive unit is otherwise fit and ready for selection, La Gazzetta dello Sport noted.
Midfielders Scott McTominay and Frank Anguissa are steadily working their way back to full match fitness. Allegri acknowledged that integrating Frank requires caution given that he had not featured since September 5 and made 13 appearances during the previous season.
Standings Context and Opponent Analysis
Entering the eighth round of the Serie A season, Allegri emphasized that Saturday’s encounter carries significant weight for league positioning, even if it will not prove decisive for the ultimate title race or Champions League qualification spots. The match is scheduled to kick off at 18:00 local time on Saturday, October 24, as reported by ANSA.
In comments reported by Corriere dello Sport, the Napoli manager highlighted the challenge posed by Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, noting that the visitors employ an intense, man-to-man pressing scheme across the pitch. Roma arrives at the Maradona following a strong run of form that extends back through the previous campaign, when they qualified for Champions, alongside a current standing near the first place.
Lazio Residents Face Ticket Prohibitions
Authorities have implemented strict security measures for the fixture in Naples. According to an official club announcement from AS Roma, ticket sales for all sections of the Stadio Armando Maradona have been strictly prohibited for residents of the Lazio region. Access to the away supporters’ section is restricted exclusively to holders of an AS Roma Fidelity Card (Tessera del Tifoso) who do not reside in Lazio.
Eligible supporters must complete a pre-purchase verification process through the ticketing platform operated by TicketOne before securing entry permits priced at 45 euros. The sales window for the away section closes at the match kickoff time of 18:00 local time on Saturday, October 24.
