Napoli need a response against Roma after Venezia defeat

Napoli’s meeting with Roma is now a test of whether Massimiliano Allegri can turn a painful defeat into points. Napoli head into the fixture after losing 1-0 away to Venezia, and Allegri says he is convinced he has a solution to the problems facing his side.

Venezia claimed their first points of the league campaign through Akor Adams’ goal. Filip Stanković made saves to preserve the win. For Napoli, the loss leaves them ninth in Serie A with 10 points from seven matches: three wins, one draw and three defeats.

Allegri’s response after the game was to look beyond the result and focus on the performances. He said it was natural for results to cause concern, but pointed to Napoli creating chances against Villarreal and described the display at Venezia as orderly. Napoli, he said, gave way after what he called a “half-mistake”.

The coach also called for the team to turn disappointment into anger so they can win matches. That is the immediate challenge before Roma visit Napoli: convert Allegri’s confidence in a solution into a stronger result, rather than let the Venezia loss define the next performance.

Roma come to Napoli on Saturday, October 24, at 18:00 CEST. The fixture gives Allegri’s side a direct opportunity to respond at home, with their league record now evenly split between wins and defeats apart from one draw. Napoli’s next step is clear: back up the coach’s belief with points.