Allegri: Napoli Must Improve Out of Possession and in Terms of Results Ahead of Roma Clash

FolioPitch.com – 23 October 2026 | Massimiliano Allegri has issued a clear directive to his Napoli squad ahead of Saturday evening’s Serie A showdown with Roma at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona: the Partenopei must tighten up defensively and start delivering consistent results. Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, the coach stressed that Allegri Napoli must improve out of possession and in terms of results if they are to climb the table and challenge for Champions League qualification.

Napoli enter the match on the back of a thrilling 4-3 Champions League victory over Bodo/Glimt, but their league form has been patchy, with just 10 points from their first seven matches of the 2026-27 campaign leaving them in eighth place. Allegri acknowledged the importance of the fixture against Gian Piero Gasperini‘s high-flying Roma side, who sit near the top of the table and have impressed since qualifying for the Champions League last season.

A Test Against Gasperini’s Roma

“It’s worth a lot, it’s an important game, it’s Napoli-Roma,” Allegri said. “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.”

The coach was quick to highlight the dangers posed by Gasperini’s man-marking system, which creates space and demands high technical quality and energy from the opposition. “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.”

When asked where his side most needs to improve, Allegri was unequivocal: “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.” He later reiterated that Allegri Napoli must improve out of possession and in terms of results, adding: “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.”

Managing De Bruyne and the Midfield

One of the key tactical questions surrounds Kevin De Bruyne, who has expressed a preference for playing further forward but has been deployed in a deeper midfield role. Allegri defended his use of the Belgian: “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.” He also noted the need to manage the minutes of Stanislav Lobotka and Billy Gilmour, who have featured heavily for club and country.

On the attacking front, Allegri backed Rasmus Hojlund despite the striker’s recent lack of goals. “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.”

Injury and Fitness Updates

Allegri provided a mixed fitness report, confirming that everyone is available apart from Amir Rrahmani, who had a fever and will be assessed. Scott McTominay is back after two months out and scored twice against Bodo/Glimt, though Allegri admitted he is still a bit behind physically. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa played 60 minutes and could be involved, while Badiashile was rested after three consecutive games. “Everyone is back in good condition but for some, they need to recover mentally as much as they do physically,” Allegri added.

The coach also addressed the suggestion that Napoli lack a clear identity compared to Gasperini’s Roma. “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.”

Conclusion

As Napoli prepare to host Roma, Allegri’s message is unambiguous: the Partenopei must find defensive solidity and consistency in results. With the coach repeatedly emphasising that Allegri Napoli must improve out of possession and in terms of results, Saturday’s clash represents a crucial opportunity to demonstrate progress and reignite their league campaign. The Stadio Maradona will be watching closely to see if Napoli can rise to the challenge.