Napoli manager Antonio Conte is reportedly considering a defensive reshuffle for this weekend's Serie A match against Como, with centre-back Sam Beukema emerging as a potential option at right-back. According to reports from Italy, the Dutch defender is in a direct contest for the position with the more natural full-back, Mathias Olivera. This comes as Conte finalizes his selection for a pivotal match where a positive result would significantly boost Napoli's chase for Champions League qualification.
With captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo still working his way back to full fitness, Conte has been forced to experiment on the right side of his defence. While the left-footed Olivera has previously filled in on the right, the manager is now weighing the merits of deploying the 27-year-old Beukema in the role. Beukema, who joined Napoli from AZ Alkmaar last summer, is primarily a central defender known for his physical strength and aerial presence, suggesting Conte may be prioritizing defensive solidity for the away fixture.
The tactical decision will be clarified following Napoli's final training session ahead of the trip to the Sinigaglia Stadium. The other side of the defence appears more settled, with reports indicating that newcomer Juan Gutierrez is set to retain his place at left-back after impressing in recent matches, including last week's draw with Cremonese. Napoli's form has improved markedly under Conte, and the team currently sits within touching distance of the coveted fourth place in Serie A.
Securing Champions League football is the clear objective for the final stretch of the season, and Conte's lineup choices are being scrutinized for their impact on this goal. A victory against Como, who are also in the European qualification mix, would represent a major step forward. The potential deployment of Beukema at full-back underscores both the injury issues Napoli are navigating and Conte's willingness to find pragmatic solutions from within his squad to achieve the club's seasonal aims.
