{
  "id": 14018542,
  "title": "Allegri: ‘McTominay could start against Villarreal, a back three is bar talk’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/allegri-mctominay-could-start-against-villarreal-a-back-three-is-bar",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-12T18:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/allegri-mctominay-could-start-against-181500308.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Napoli coach Massimiliano Allegri suggested Scott McTominay could start in the Champions League match against Villarreal. However, Allegri has not yet decided on his final team lineup. McTominay returned to training last week after an ablation procedure for a mild heart arrhythmia. Allegri dismissed the idea of a back three, stating formations are \"bar talk\" and his squad has excellent players. He acknowledged that Frank Anguissa and Alisson are returning soon, which will affect lineup decisions. Allegri emphasized the importance of patience in integrating McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne, noting their different arrival times.",
  "summary": "Massimiliano Allegri says Scott McTominay could start Napoli’s Champions League clash with Villarreal, though he has yet to settle on his line-up.With quotes via Tuttomercatoweb, the Napoli coach sp...",
  "key_points": [
    "Scott McTominay could start against Villarreal, per Allegri.",
    "Allegri has not decided final lineup for Champions League match.",
    "Back three formation dismissed as bar talk by Allegri."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}