Massimiliano Allegri has urged Napoli to improve defensively before they host unbeaten Roma in Serie A on Saturday evening, warning that their off-the-ball work has to sharpen up quickly if they want to steady a mixed start to the season.
Napoli go into the Matchday 8 fixture at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples with 10 points from seven matches, after three league defeats have left them under pressure in the early stages of the campaign. The timing is not ideal either, with the weekend coming just days after a 4-3 Champions League win over Bodo/Glimt that showed plenty of attacking threat but also more signs of defensive vulnerability.
Allegri wants more balance
Allegri was direct about what needs to change. He said Napoli must improve “especially at the back” and that they are “letting in too many goals,” adding that the team needs to tighten things up. He also stressed that the issue is not only about individual moments, but about the collective work without the ball.
“Where we most need to improve is in our off-the-ball approach to the game,” he said. “We’ve got to get better in that regard and show that we can be stronger and more resolute.”
That message fits the broader picture around Napoli, who are trying to find a more stable balance after a shaky domestic opening. Allegri said that finding that balance could help the team put together a strong run, which is the next step they need after a stop-start beginning.
Roma arrive with momentum
Roma, meanwhile, come to Naples with 17 points and without a league defeat this season. They have also kept three away league clean sheets, underlining why this will be a difficult test for Napoli against a side that has been steady on the road and consistent in the league.
Allegri was clear that he expects a demanding contest. He said Roma have been performing well since last season, praised Gian Piero Gasperini for doing an excellent job, and described the Giallorossi as a team full of quality and passion. He also noted that Gasperini’s sides play high-tempo football, so Napoli will need to be ready for a game with plenty of energy.
“It’s sure to be a very intense match,” Allegri said. “We’ll need to be ready to deal with a lot of energy.”
Key players still building fitness
Napoli do have some help on the way, but Allegri indicated that McTominay and Anguissa are not yet ready for a full 90 minutes. That leaves Napoli with another selection question as they try to manage a tough league opponent while also balancing a busy schedule.
Saturday’s match at 18:00 CEST is not a season-defining moment, according to Allegri, but it is an early test of Napoli’s structure and discipline. Against an unbeaten Roma side, the margin for error looks small, and the home team’s response at the back may decide how much this result says about where they are headed.
