Max Allegri urges Napoli ‘patience to make do with the players we’ve got’ after a surprising 1-0 defeat to Venezia. ‘I understand the mood is low, but we’ve got to keep calm.’
It has been a disastrous week for the Partenopei, who fell 3-1 in the Champions League away to Villarreal, then suffered a shock 1-0 Serie A defeat away to rock bottom Venezia.
Akor Adams ran onto a long ball and saw his finish deflected in off Amir Rrahmani, then Kevin De Bruyne’s penalty was parried by Filip Stankovic.
Allegri calls for Napoli patience
VENICE, ITALY – OCTOBER 17: Head coach of SSC Napoli Massimiliano Allegri poses with head coach of Venezia FC Davide Nicola during the Serie A match between Venezia FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on October 17, 2026 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
“We created a great deal, but continue to be penalised for costly errors,” Allegri told DAZN Italia.
“Considering how many chances we created, it’s a concern that we were unable to score a goal. We’ve got to analyse this moment with clear heads, there is time to recover.
“Venezia defended very well, and we didn’t stretch them out to create space between the lines. It was a different match after the break, the spaces opened up, but we didn’t make the most of them.”
VENICE, ITALY – OCTOBER 17: Head coach of SSC Napoli Massimiliano Allegri during the Serie A match between Venezia FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on October 17, 2026 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Lorenzo Lucca got a rare start and failed to deliver yet again, highlighting the lack of strength in depth for this squad.
“I think Lucca is a good player, but it’s not easy to play in these conditions. This is the squad that we have, with good players who have different characteristics,” added the coach.
“I cannot always play the same ones. Lucca played his part, as did everyone, then in the second half Venezia lost intensity and we took control of the match.”
VENICE, ITALY – OCTOBER 17: Scott Mctominay of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between Venezia FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on October 17, 2026 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Napoli have now managed just one point from their last three Serie A away fixtures, and had not lost to Venezia in the top flight since the 1940s.
More concerning, they have lost five of their first nine competitive matches this season, the worst run since Luigi De Canio in Serie B in 2001/02.
“There’s no point being worried now, we need to do what we’re doing, but do it better,” insisted Allegri.
“At this moment, incidents just aren’t going our way and we conceded at the first opportunity. It is up to us to change that trend.”
VENICE, ITALY – OCTOBER 17: Alisson Santos of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between Venezia FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on October 17, 2026 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Alisson Santos looked very lively off the bench, but then seemed to be limping heavily in the final minutes after forcing a Stankovic save.
“He felt something when he took the shot, so it might be a relapse. David Neres was out for eight months. We need to have patience to make do with the players we’ve got.”
Is this a plea from Allegri to President Aurelio De Laurentiis for reinforcements in the January window?
“I have not spoken to the President. I understand the mood is low, but we must continue working to turn this situation around. There are moments when things don’t go your way, we’ve got to keep calm and carry on.
“The team is feeling the pressure psychologically, but they need to pull out that determination,” concluded Allegri.