Napoli's Marianucci ruled out for two months due to knee injury

Napoli faces a defensive crisis following Luca Marianucci's injury, suffered during a pre-season match against Celta Vigo. The club announced that Marianucci will miss approximately two months with a high-grade tear of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee. His absence compounds existing issues, as Alessandro Buongiorno is out until January and Sam Beukema's recovery from an Achilles injury is slow. This leaves coach Massimiliano Allegri with only Amir Rrahmani and Rafa Marín as fit central defenders ahead of the opening match against Genoa. Napoli is pursuing Chelsea’s Benoît Badiashile to bolster its defense.

• 4:50 PMYahoo Sports — Napoli face fresh injury crisis as Marianucci absence hampers defence