Allegri: McTominay could start at Villarreal, back three is 'bar talk'

📰 Allegri is weighing up a start for McTominay ahead of the trip to Villarreal. 📌 Key points ❤️ McTominay is back after a heart procedure on 8 September. 🧩 Allegri said a start for McTominay is possible. 🍺 He dismissed the back-three question as "bar talk". 🏥 Six players, including Buongiorno, are out injured. ⚠️ Napoli lost their Champions League opener 1-0 to Arsenal. 📝 What happened 🎙️ Asked on 12 October whether McTominay would start at Villarreal, Allegri said: "It's possible, but I haven't fully decided the XI yet." He added that "McTominay hasn't played for a while", hinting he still needs time. ❤️ McTominay's last start came against Como on 30 August. He had an ablation procedure to correct a mild heart arrhythmia on 8 September and, after returning to training, played 30 minutes against Frosinone on 10 October. 🍺 Asked whether a back three suits Napoli, Allegri said: "Talking about formations is reductive. It's bar talk more than pitch talk." He also hinted at rotation: "Routine things annoy me a bit. I like to change." 🏥 Napoli named a 19-man squad. Alessandro Buongiorno, Mathías Olivera, Costantino Favasuli, Frank Anguissa, Antonio Vergara and Alisson Santos are out injured. "We'll soon have Anguissa and Alisson back too," Allegri said. 📊 By the numbers • McTominay's last start: Como, 30 August • Heart procedure: 8 September; 30 minutes on his return • 19-man squad, six injured players missing 👀 What to watch ❤️ McTominay's minutes — Will this be his first start since the procedure, or will he keep building from the bench? 🧠 Living with De Bruyne — "Good players have to play together," said Allegri. "It takes time." ⚠️ Points needed — After losing their opener, a poor result away from home would complicate Napoli's league phase. Allegri warned Villarreal are "an awkward side". 🔭 Why it matters Napoli made their worst league start since 2015-16. The 3-0 win over Frosinone offered a glimpse of recovery, and the result in Villarreal on 13 October could set the mood for Allegri's side.