Rasmus Højlund says he feels “much freer” working with Massimiliano Allegri than he did under Antonio Conte after Napoli were beaten 2-1 at home by Como in Serie A.
The Napoli striker spoke to journalists following a match in which his side twice fell behind and could not recover. Højlund brought the hosts level in the 30th minute, but Como restored their advantage only four minutes later. Napoli were unable to find another equaliser before the final whistle.
Højlund’s comments focused on the difference he feels between playing under Allegri and his experience with Conte. “With Allegri, I feel much freer than with Conte,” the Denmark international said.
His remarks came after a game in which Napoli’s response to Como’s second goal was not enough to prevent a home defeat. The visitors moved back in front in the 34th minute, leaving Napoli with the remainder of the match to rescue a result.
Despite the loss, Napoli have three points from the opening two rounds of the new Serie A campaign. Their defeat by Como followed a victory in the first round, but the result means they were unable to add to their points total on home ground.
The sequence of goals shaped a short, fast-moving contest. Højlund’s equaliser arrived just four minutes after Como had taken the lead, briefly putting Napoli level. The visitors then immediately regained the advantage, and that second goal ultimately proved decisive.
For Højlund, the match provided the setting for a direct comparison between the two managers. His assessment was that Allegri’s approach allows him more freedom than Conte’s, a comment made after Napoli had failed to turn their possession of the scoreline back in their favour following the second Como goal.
The final score was Napoli 1-2 Como, with Højlund responsible for Napoli’s only goal. Como’s two goals were enough to secure the victory, while Napoli’s failure to score again left them with three points after two Serie A matches.
The home defeat therefore combined a disappointing result for Napoli with a clear declaration from their forward about his current managerial environment. Højlund’s comparison between Allegri and Conte was made immediately after the loss, while the match itself was settled within a four-minute spell around his equaliser and Como’s response.
