Max Allegri insists he didn’t ‘need to convince Kevin De Bruyne’ to be a deep playmaker for Napoli against Roma. ‘I just told him that was where he was playing.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).

Amir Rrahmani has been struggling with flu symptoms in recent days and is not even on the bench, while Antonio Vergara returns to the squad after his injury on international duty.

Alisson Santos, David Neres, Costantino Favasuli and Alessandro Buongiorno are long-term absentees.

This is the first time in Serie A this season that Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay have started together, with the Belgium international again used as a playmaker, a role he does not seem enthusiastic about.

Allegri firm on De Bruyne and Napoli

“I put three in midfield and they are free to play,” Allegri told DAZN Italia.

How did he convince De Bruyne to keep playing in such a deep playmaker role when the former Manchester City midfielder insisted he prefers being a trequartista?

“I didn’t need to convince him, I just told him that was where he was playing, he knows how to move. Anguissa provides greater balance, while McTominay is certainly a more attack-minded player than the other two,” insisted Allegri.

The mood in the Partenopei camp remains tense despite the 4-3 Champions League victory over Bodo/Glimt, because they are still playing catch-up in Serie A.

Last week they suffered a shock 3-1 defeat to rock bottom Venezia, prompting some debate over the future of the coach.

“These are details that make the difference, so if you are not determined to close down players for the pass, the cross or the shot, you will have more difficulty. I got the feeling against Bodo/Glimt that we could concede at any moment, and were too sluggish,” added Allegri.

“We are coming off a defeat to Venezia that interrupted our three-match unbeaten run. We’ve got to get back on track against a strong Roma side that is doing well, it is without doubt going to be an entertaining match that isn’t over until it’s over.”