Napoli travels to Porto with nine players absent in Champions League clash

Napoli will face Porto on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, at Estádio do Dragão in the fourth round of the Champions League league phase. The match carries significant importance for both teams' European campaigns, though they arrive from contrasting domestic form and injury situations.

Napoli, currently 22nd in the league phase standings with three points from three matches, will play without nine confirmed absentees including Brazilian players David Neres and Alisson Santos, as well as Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Stanislav Lobotka, Leonardo Spinazzola, Alessandro Buongiorno, Mathías Olivera, Badiashile, and Favasuli. Manager Massimiliano Allegri has travelled with a reduced squad of 13 players. Additional doubt surrounds Rasmus Højlund (recovering from flu) and Kevin De Bruyne (ankle injury), though Allegri indicated both may be available. Despite the injury crisis, Napoli won their last Champions League match 4–3 against Bodø/Glimt but lost their most recent Serie A game 2–0 to Juventus on Sunday.

Porto, positioned 34th in the standings with zero points after three straight defeats to Manchester City, Real Madrid Betis, and PSV Eindhoven, will host the match. The Portuguese club has also suffered injuries, with William Gomes (ankle), Vasco Sousa, and Smalling unavailable, and Oskar Pietuszewski uncertain. However, Porto has demonstrated strong domestic form, winning their last three league matches including a 4–0 victory over Estoril and reaching three consecutive wins across all competitions.

Allegri stated that "our fate will be in our hands against Manchester City" regardless of the Porto result, noting that 10 points would secure play-off qualification. Matteo Politano acknowledged Napoli's defensive fragility but rejected using injuries as an alibi: "We need to come together as a unit and try from tomorrow to be more solid." Porto remain unbeaten in their last six home matches against Serie A opposition in European competition, though they have lost both Champions League home games this season.

The match kicks off at 20:00 GMT (17:00 Brasília time) at Estádio do Dragão. English referee Michael Oliver will oversee the fixture, with VAR support from Stuart Attwell. Broadcasting will be available on HBO Max.