Preseason friendlies: Napoli vs. Aris Thessaloniki, probable lineups
Massimiliano Allegri’s Napoli faces Aris Thessaloniki in its final friendly match at the Castel di Sangro training camp, ten days before the start of the Serie A season. After losing their first match against Arezzo, the Azzurri won their subsequent friendlies against Carrarese and Osasuna and drew with Celta Vigo.
The Neapolitans, who are still hoping to sign Gabriel Jesus as their center forward following Lukaku’s departure, are fielding Hojlund up front alongside wingers Politano and Alisson Santos, while in midfield Gilmour plays alongside Anguissa and McTominay as central midfielders. At the heart of the defense are Rrahmani and Marin (with Marianucci injured and Badiashile on his way), with Di Lorenzo and Spinazzola as fullbacks.
The Greeks will field Kadewere as center forward, with Gianniotas and Kouame on either side of him. In midfield, Jensen partners with Racic, while Garrè and Galanopoulos man the flanks.
Napoli vs. Aris Thessaloniki: Probable Lineups
NAPOLI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Marin, Spinazzola; Anguissa, Gilmour, McTominay; Politano, Hojlund, Alisson. Coach: Allegri
ARIS THESSALONIKI (3-4-3): Dioudis; Fadiga, Leismann, Kerkez; Garrè, Racic, Jensen, Galanopoulos; Gianniotas, Kadewere, Kouame. Head Coach: Grigoriou
On the transfer front, the sale of Romelu Lukaku to Fenerbahçe for approximately 7 million euros has freed up significant resources. The Belgian, who had skipped the training camp in Castel di Sangro—effectively making the split inevitable—leaves Napoli after 45 appearances, 15 goals, 11 assists, and a league title won in 2025. The top name on the list of replacements remains Gabriel Jesus, a Brazilian forward born in 1997 who is set to leave Arsenal, where his contract with the Gunners expires in 2027. The player, represented in Italy by Branchini, reportedly has no intention of renewing his contract with the London club and has already expressed his interest in a move to Naples.
Marianucci’s absence is weighing heavily on Allegri’s defensive decisions. The young player, born in 2004, was sidelined during the friendly match against Celta Vigo due to a severe injury to the medial collateral ligament in his left knee, as officially announced by the club in a statement. This injury will keep him sidelined for at least a month and a half, compounding Alessandro Buongiorno’s long-term injury and leaving the backline with few available players. For this very reason, Napoli is working to strengthen its defense: in addition to Chelsea’s Badiashile, who is already expected to join, the name of Juventus’ Federico Gatti has also been circulating in recent weeks, with the Bianconeri valuing him at around 25 million euros.
