Manna: ‘Napoli knew Badiashile was a risk, De Bruyne in more congenial role’

Manna: ‘Napoli knew Badiashile was a risk, De Bruyne in more congenial role’ Napoli director Giovanni Manna hints Kevin De Bruyne is ‘playing in a position that is historically more congenial’ against FC Porto, while they ‘knew Benoit Badiashile was a risk’ from Chelsea. It kicks off at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET). You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and RC Lens vs. Como on the Champions League Liveblog. COMO, ITALY – MAY 02: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on May 02, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) The Partenopei have 10 players out of action between injury and ineligibility, leaving only three senior outfield players on the bench. De Bruyne had also been a major doubt after limping off with an ankle sprain during the 2-0 Serie A defeat to Juventus on Sunday, but he is in the starting XI in what appears to be a more advanced role behind lone striker Rasmus Hojlund. Napoli deal with injury crisis NAPLES, ITALY – JULY 14: Giovanni Manna SSC Napoli sports director as Massimiliano Allegri is unveiled as the new SSC Napoli head coach at Teatro di San Carlo on July 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) “Kevin is a top player, he has proved he can play anywhere. Tonight he is perhaps in a position that is historically more congenial, but he proved that he can do well as a playmaker in Serie A and the Champions League too,” replied Manna on Sky Sport Italia. “Tonight’s formation is based on how many players are actually available, and we had to choose from there.” De Bruyne had not disguised his irritation at being dropped into a deep playmaker role in recent weeks by coach Max Allegri, so this feels like a victory for the former Manchester City man. “The Champions League is still long, we are in a delicate moment of the season, but it’s important to put in a strong performance and give our all.” NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 10: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli scores a penalty for his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Frosinone Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) Napoli have had a series of injuries over the last three years, something that Antonio Conte was already complaining about and now carried on into Allegri’s reign. “We’ve had a lot of traumatic injuries too, like Di Lorenzo last year and Lobotka this time,” insisted Manna. “We knew that there were players like Badiashile who were a risk due to past problems, Buongiorno we were aware of, Anguissa had trouble last season and is recovering, David Neres had a relapse, these things can happen. “It’s not an alibi, we are here and will play our game.” NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 24: Benoit Badiashile of SSC Napoli battles for possession with Devyne Rensch of AS Roma during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 24, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) The January transfer window could be an opportunity to bring in reinforcements, especially for their strikers, where Hojlund has been used practically non-stop. “The only place where we’re lacking is in attack, as today we’ve got two strikers, plus Giovane and Vergara who can play there. Alisson Santos is someone we never really had this season, but he doesn’t have a long history of injuries, so it was a new development.”