Napoli’s Champions League campaign suffered a heavy setback as FC Porto capitalised on a series of defensive mistakes to win 4-1, with Rafa Marin sent off late on after the Portuguese side had already taken control.
The Partenopei had claimed their first points in the competition by beating Bodo/Glimt 4-3, but arrived in Porto after a 2-0 Serie A defeat by Juventus. Their preparations were further complicated by a long injury list, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Mathias Olivera, Stanislav Lobotka, Leonardo Spinazzola, Alisson Santos, Benoit Badiashile, Costantino Favasuli, David Neres and Alessandro Buongiorno unavailable. Luca Marianucci was not included on the UEFA list.
Rasmus Hojlund returned after missing the Juventus match with flu symptoms, while Kevin De Bruyne recovered from an ankle problem to take up a more advanced position in Napoli’s 3-5-2 formation.
Porto had won every domestic match under Italian manager Francesco Farioli but had lost all three of their European fixtures this season against Manchester City, Real Betis and PSV Eindhoven. Vasco Sousa, William Gomes and former Roma defender Chris Smalling were injured, while Oskar Pietuszewski required a late fitness check. Former Milan forwards Andre Silva and Santiago Gimenez were named among the substitutes.
Antonio Vergara was booked within the opening minute after a late challenge on Jan Bednarek. Porto then thought they had gone ahead when Pepe finished beneath the crossbar, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Borja Sainz soon curled an effort just over before Porto took the lead in the 11th minute. Gabriel Veiga delivered a corner into the area and Bednarek was left completely unmarked, heading in from nine yards.
Napoli threatened to respond through Hojlund, who went down between two defenders while chasing a De Bruyne pass, before later seeing a deflected effort go narrowly wide. Gabriel Veiga struck the side-netting with a free-kick after a risky foul by Scott McTominay, while De Bruyne also had a goal disallowed for offside.
The visitors levelled in the 43rd minute after Diogo Costa made two excellent saves from Matteo Politano and Hojlund. However, McTominay followed up to force the ball home.
Porto regained the lead in the 71st minute when Gimenez released Gabriel Veiga, who rounded the advancing Alex Meret and finished calmly. Gimenez had earlier been denied by Meret after Napoli survived a dangerous ricochet, while Bednarek also headed against the crossbar from another corner.
Jakub Kiwior added a third in the 80th minute with another free header from a set piece. Napoli’s misery was compounded when Marin brought down Samu without attempting to play the ball, earning a red card and conceding a penalty. Samu converted in the 90th minute.
The defeat prompted calls for Allegri’s dismissal, while another reaction described him as a fraud.
