Allegri Prepares Napoli for Crucial Clash Against Inter
Massimiliano Allegri knows the mood swings in Naples better than most. One defeat and the sky is falling. One win and the title parade is being mapped out.
On the eve of a trip to San Siro to face Inter, he drew a firm line.
“At Napoli it's either over-excitement or depression, but we are only in Week 3,” he said, brushing off talk that the Scudetto race is already slipping away.
From Como shock to San Siro stage
Napoli arrive in Milan bruised. The 2-1 home loss to Como stung, not just for the result but for the damage it left behind.
Giovane came out of that game injured. Scott McTominay has been ruled out for several weeks after surgery to correct a small heart issue. Alessandro Buongiorno and Luca Marianucci were already long-term absentees. The squad list looks thinner by the day.
Yet Allegri refused to lean into the gloom.
“We're disappointed to have lost to Como, but there must be balance, there are so many games still to be played,” he argued. “We didn't even put in a bad performance, but tomorrow is a head-to-head between the top two in the last two seasons. We go forward with confidence, then we can think about Arsenal and the Champions League.”
The schedule offers no mercy. After the international break, Napoli face nine matches in 26 days. For Allegri, that brutal run shapes how he views the current crisis.
“Injuries happen, but if you think that after the break for international duty there are nine matches in 26 days, it's better to have those injuries now so everyone can recover in time for that spell.”
Managing the kids, managing expectations
With so many players out, attention naturally turned to Antonio Vergara and the prospect of more minutes for the youngster. Allegri hit the brakes.
“I don't think we should put too much responsibility onto the shoulders of Vergara. He's a good player, but I think only has 12 games for Napoli, so we've got to take it easy,” he said.
Against Como, Vergara stayed on the bench. That choice, Allegri insisted, was pragmatic rather than a snub.
“I made a different choice against Como, he remained on the bench because I am only allowed five substitutions. We are improving physically, I am happy with how the lads are training, now we have to make fewer errors in the matches.”
Errors cost them dearly against Como. They cannot afford a repeat at San Siro.
De Bruyne’s wait and the McTominay void
One of the most striking selections so far this season has been the use of Kevin De Bruyne. Or rather, the lack of it. The Belgian has yet to start a game, still working his way back to full sharpness.
“He is improving, but naturally I need to balance out the midfield without McTominay, as this limits the options,” Allegri explained.
McTominay’s absence removes a specific reference point in the middle of the pitch, something Allegri knows he cannot simply replicate.
“I cannot ask anyone else for what we get from Scott, so it's a different player with different characteristics.”
There was at least a positive note: Benoit Badiashile is in the squad and has impressed in training. Another piece for Allegri to play with in a reshaped side.
Return to San Siro, and a clear Scudetto favourite
For Allegri, this trip to Inter is not just another away game. It is a return to the stadium where Milan fired him last summer, even if he did leave with both Derby della Madonnina wins over Inter on his record.
“Playing in that stadium is always marvellous, while Inter and Napoli love to do battle,” he said. “We need a good performance with fewer technical errors, because those are costly.”
Then came a blunt admission. Inter, in his eyes, sit a step ahead in the title conversation.
“Inter are the real favourites for the Scudetto. We've got to be more careful, as we conceded two avoidable goals against Como. Head to head clashes are always difficult to win.”
Working with what he has
Napoli’s summer was restrained. While other Serie A heavyweights spent heavily, the Partenopei had to sell before they could buy. The market never truly exploded for them.
Allegri refused to use that as a shield.
“There's no point looking at the others, we need to focus on ourselves. I'm pleased with the squad at our disposal, we've got to lay the foundations now for what will be the final push of the season, taking one step at a time.”
San Siro, Saturday evening, against the side he calls Scudetto favourites. Injuries biting, pressure rising, patience in short supply in Naples.
If Allegri wants balance in a city that lives on extremes, this is exactly the kind of night he has to control.
