Massimiliano Allegri said Napoli must sharpen up defensively before they host unbeaten Roma on Saturday, warning that they are letting in too many goals and need a stronger off-the-ball approach. The match kicks off at 18:00 CEST at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples.
The warning lands at a delicate moment for Napoli, who have collected 10 points from seven matches and have already suffered three league defeats this season. Roma arrive with 17 points and no league loss so far, so Napoli are facing a side that has not given opponents much room to breathe.
Allegri did not try to dress up the task. He said Napoli must become more resolute, find better balance and stop giving away so many chances, with the back line under particular scrutiny. That demand matters because Napoli are trying to steady themselves after a shock domestic loss to Venezia, even though they responded in midweek with a 4-3 Champions League win over Bodo/Glimt.
That contrast is the friction in this match. Napoli can point to the eight-match unbeaten home streak they hold in Serie A against Roma's side, but Roma have been tighter on the road than Napoli have been at home, with clean sheets in all three of their away league fixtures so far. Allegri also made clear that McTominay and Anguissa are coming back gradually, but neither is ready for a full 90 minutes yet, leaving Napoli with less room to hide if the game turns open.
The stakes are obvious without being total. A win would help Napoli close the gap on the teams above them and ease some of the pressure around their defence, but another loose performance would deepen the feeling that the team is still searching for control. For now, Saturday is less about style than whether Napoli can keep Roma from turning a strong start into another statement away from home.
