Massimiliano Allegri left Napoli’s draw with Roma carrying the frustration of a match that seemed to offer a decisive turn in the league campaign before slipping away late on. His side had shown the force to threaten a 3-0 lead and later made it 3-2, but the points shared with the Giallorossi felt like another missed opportunity rather than a step forward.
A difficult finish against Roma
- Napoli produced what Allegri described as a good performance against a strong Roma side, creating the conditions to put the contest beyond reach when they could have gone three goals ahead.
- After Napoli scored to make it 3-2, the match still did not deliver the victory Allegri felt his players had earned.
- The late disappointment came after Napoli had already dropped three points at Venezia, leaving the coach particularly angry about the way this latest match ended.
- Allegri was then sent from the touchline, a decision he said he could not understand. He stated that the fourth official called the referee over and that he had said nothing before being dismissed.
The Napoli coach said he was sorry about the dismissal but reacted bitterly to what he sees as repeated punishments for leaving his technical area. “Next time I will sit on the bench and not move at all,” he said. “Whenever I move, I get sent off. Last year I was fined €80,000 as well.”
He also suggested that other coaches are permitted more freedom on the touchline, before thanking the official he initially referred to as “Saccani”, later correcting the name to Sacchi.
Allegri asks for the same spirit
Despite the anger, Allegri praised his players and insisted that Napoli can climb the table if they maintain the same attitude. The performance against Roma, in his view, provided evidence that the group has the character required to recover ground over the season.
His mood was less accommodating when asked about Napoli’s defensive numbers, which have not reflected the standards usually associated with his teams. Half-seriously, he replied that he had changed his approach and now wanted everybody committed to attack.
“If I can, I even use four forwards from the start of the season,” Allegri said. “You can decide whether the glass is half full or half empty. Tonight, for the first time, I am not in the condition to give a clear explanation of the match.”
He acknowledged that frustration was affecting his judgement after the points lost in Venezia and in the closing stages against Roma. “In 25 years, I can make a mistake too,” he added.
Hojlund, De Bruyne and the injury update
Allegri offered support to Rasmus Hojlund after another match without a goal. The forward had three promising openings against Roma, while his work for the team was positively judged by the coach.
“Rasmus had three good situations and worked well for the team,” Allegri said. “He had the chances and the goal will come. We have to stay calm.”
He also underlined the need to manage Kevin De Bruyne’s workload, noting that Napoli have Billy Gilmour and Stanislav Lobotka available and that the collective spirit shown against Roma must remain the reference point.
There was more concern over Benoit Badiashile. Allegri said the defender suffered a muscular problem after returning from many months out of action. He had deliberately been rested on Tuesday, but then suffered a recurrence and will be assessed over the next 48 hours.
Amir Rrahmani, however, had been rested and is expected to be available on Wednesday, giving Allegri at least one defensive option as Napoli try to convert their encouraging display against Roma into the points they have recently allowed to escape.
