Massimiliano Allegri believes that the ‘most important’ thing for Napoli to do heading into their Serie A match against Roma is to improve on their work out of possession, but admits that his players need to start delivering results on a more consistent basis as well: ‘We make our judgements on results.”
Napoli will host Roma at the Stadio Maradona in Serie A at 17.00 BST on Saturday evening.
Allegri and his players are coming in off the back of a 4-3 Champions League victory over Bodo/Glimt, but are looking to improve on their league position after picking up 10 points from their first seven matches of the 2026-27 season.
Here is what Allegri had to say about his team’s recent results and their prospects against Roma during his pre-match press conference on Friday.
Allegri’s pre-match press conference ahead of Napoli vs. Roma
The first question that came Allegri’s way related to Kevin De Bruyne and his continued use in a deep midfield role. The Belgian has made it clear that he prefers to play further up the pitch where he is able to have more of an impact on attacking moves.
When asked if he plans on using De Bruyne in the same position again, Allegri said: “These players have qualities and characteristics, he can play in front of the defence or in a double-pivot, I think he did that against Frosinone. I put him there and he played well, that’s the most important thing.
“We also have players like Lobotka and Gilmour, who have played a lot of games since the start of the year between club and national teams. Managing the players is very important. When you play so many matches so close together, you need everyone. Today is our last training session, and then I will decide.”
Just how important does Allegri feel tomorrow’s game against Roma is?
“It’s worth a lot, it’s an important game, it’s Napoli-Roma. Roma have been doing well since last year, they qualified for the Champions League, they’re near first place. Gasperini is doing a great job. They’re a team that’s playing with enthusiasm, good technique.
“So it will be a difficult game but it would be nice to pick things back up after two wins and a draw before slipping against Venezia, while being aware of the fact that it is an important game, but not our last one, nor will it decide Champions League qualification. But, we are in eighth place and we have to improve in certain areas on the pitch.”
Asked where he thinks Napoli need to improve, Allegri added: “Out of possession. We have to improve on that and we need continuity in results. We will only catch up by stringing a series of wins together.”
And where do the dangers lie?
“Gasperini’s teams make plays because they take you man for man, they create a lot of spaces. These can be beautiful and entertaining games, if you get the result. If not, it’s a problem. We need to have great technique, we will have to expend a lot of energy. Let’s see how we do in defence, everyone is all fine apart from Rrahmani, who had a fever, so we have to see how he is today.”
It was suggested that Gasperini’s side always have a clear identity and style of play, and that Napoli are missing exactly that under Allegri.
In response, he said: ”The easiest way for me to respond would be to change my way, to abandon the defence and go all-out attack, but we need balance. We’ve needed that since the beginning.
“The goal is to get all of our players back. We’ve got McTominay after two months out, he’s still a bit behind despite his two goals. Anguissa played 60 minutes and we have to see whether or not to deploy him because he only played 13 games last year and it takes a machine to be able to just switch it back on again.
“We will also evaluate Vergara today to see if we can have him on the bench. I let Badiashile rest after playing three games in a row. Everyone is back in good condition but for some, they need to recover mentally as much as they do physically.”
Allegri was then asked what he has made of Rasmus Hojlund’s recent form and lack of goals for Napoli.
He said: “He went off to his national team, he had scored two in four of five games, then he scored a few for his national side, but he has played every game with Napoli and his national team since the start of the season, apart from that one game in Venice. But I’m happy with what he’s doing. He has to stay calm. The important thing is that the team scores. If Hojlund scores fewer goals but the team wins, we’re not angry.
“Giovane is doing well, Lucca is someone with different qualities. We have to support and help him. Football is beautiful because one shot can turn a negative period into a positive.”
Where does Allegri most want to see Napoli improve?
“The main thing is that we give a stronger impression when we are out of possession, especially in our own half. We also have to make progress in terms of results. We can talk about having good games, but in the end, as we always say, we make our judgements on results.”