Napoli preseason 2026

Brazilian forward Giovane told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli that the squad felt physically fine after a month‑and‑a‑half break, noting the contrast between new coach Massimiliano Allegri and former boss Antonio Conte. He said he hopes to earn minutes, preferring the right‑wing spot but also comfortable as a second striker or centre‑forward, and praised the squad’s multilingual camaraderie.

The next day Napoli faced Serie B side Carrarese in a pre‑season friendly at the SKI.IT Arena, winning 2‑0 thanks to Rasmus Hojlund and a Giovane penalty. Allegri highlighted improving fitness, the need for further conditioning, and discussed injuries – a knee issue for Antonio Vergara and a fever for goalkeeper Vanja Milinković‑Savić – while viewing the result as a positive test before the next training camp.

A second friendly against Carrarese on 26 July at the Carciato pitch in Dimaro ended with the same 2‑0 scoreline. Hojlund opened the scoring from a cross by Vergara, who later earned the penalty that Giovane converted. Vergara left the field in the 80th minute with a minor knee contusion. Allegri praised the squad’s tactical progress since the earlier loss to Arezzo, said the club will calmly assess the transfer market after the retreta moves to Castel di Sangro, and noted that numerous substitutions gave valuable minutes to younger players ahead of the Serie A season.