Napoli Faces Selection Crisis with Spinazzola Injury Ahead of Fiorentina Clash

Napoli’s injury list grew longer on Friday, and it claimed one of their most experienced campaigners.

Leonardo Spinazzola missed full training after suffering a mild strain to the hamstring of his right thigh and will sit out Sunday’s away clash with Fiorentina. The club confirmed the issue in a statement, with medical checks ruling him out of the lunchtime kick-off in Florence.

For a side already walking a tightrope with availability, it is another unwelcome twist.

Reports from Il Mattino and Sky state the Italy international will not be part of the squad travelling to the Artemio Franchi for the 12:30 CET (11:30 BST) start. His absence strips Napoli of a seasoned option on the left flank at a time when defensive balance and experience are at a premium.

The setbacks do not end there.

Frank Zambo Anguissa also continued to work away from the main group, training on an individual programme. With the clock ticking towards Sunday, that leaves him highly unlikely to feature against Fiorentina, depriving Napoli of one of their key midfield anchors.

Alessandro Buongiorno, Luca Marianucci, Scott McTominay, Giovane, Alex Meret and Alisson Santos are all ruled out of the trip, leaving the coaching staff to piece together a side from what remains. The bench in Florence will tell its own story about the strain on this squad.

The timing jars with the first flicker of momentum Napoli have felt in weeks.

They finally snapped a three-game losing streak across all competitions last weekend, edging Bologna 1-0 at the Stadio Maradona to steady nerves and restore a measure of belief.

Now comes the harder part: defending that fragile revival in Florence without a string of first-team regulars.