Massimiliano Allegri did not lead Napoli’s recovery session on Sunday morning after their 1-0 defeat by Venezia, with reports saying the head coach was absent because of flu.
The result has increased pressure on Allegri, whose side were beaten by a Venezia team that had failed to collect a single point in their opening six Serie A matches of the season.
Italian newspapers say Allegri now has two difficult games to improve Napoli’s results and protect his position. La Gazzetta dello Sport described a turnaround as “urgent” and reported that his future “will be at risk” unless Napoli produce a positive result in their next two matches.
Allegri had already equalled Napoli’s worst start to a season in 17 years before the Venezia game, having suffered four defeats in his first eight matches in charge in all competitions. Saturday’s loss means he has now overseen five defeats in nine games.
Napoli have won three, drawn one and lost three of their seven Serie A fixtures so far this season. They are nine points behind leaders Inter and have also been beaten twice in the Champions League.
Those European defeats leave Napoli with little margin for error during the remainder of the league phase if they are to reach the round of 16.
Their immediate challenge comes in the Champions League on Tuesday, when they face Bodø/Glimt. The match is already being viewed as one Napoli must win, particularly because Bodø/Glimt defeated the reigning Serie A champions home and away in last season’s Champions League play-off round.
Napoli then return to Serie A for a demanding meeting with an in-form Roma at the Stadio Maradona on Saturday, October 24.
Allegri’s absence from Sunday’s training session was first reported by Corriere dello Sport, which said the coach was suffering from flu after the defeat in Venice.
The 1-0 loss was another setback for a Napoli side whose early-season form has quickly placed their manager under scrutiny. With a Champions League fixture followed by a difficult domestic match, the next week could prove decisive for Allegri’s future at the club.
