Massimiliano Allegri insists Napoli's Champions League fate is still in their own hands, but warned that turning their league form around matters more.
With quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb , the Napoli coach spoke at the Estádio do Dragão on Tuesday, before Wednesday's game against Porto, which kicks off at 21:00 CET [20:00 GMT].
Allegri is back in the dugout after a two-match Serie A ban. During it, Napoli won 4-1 at Monza and lost 2-0 at Juventus, leaving them 10th on 14 points. In Europe, they have three points from three games after defeats in their first two matches and a 4-3 win over Bodø/Glimt.
He opened by paying tribute to Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel, who died at 30 after a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Owono during a match in Spain. "First of all, I'd like to offer my condolences to the family of Jesús de Miguel for this tragic accident to a young man, before a footballer, who lost his life," he said.
"Tomorrow's game is difficult, because Porto have won 10 in a row in the league, and they've played some good games in the Champions League too. As for us, talking is of little use, we need to put in a good performance. In the Champions League, our destiny is in our hands, because with 10 points we'd reach the play-offs at least. But then there's the league to sort out, and that's the most important thing."
NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 20: Massimiliano Allegri, Manager of SSC Napoli, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between SSC Napoli and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 20, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
"Tomorrow isn't the last chance. With 10 points you go to the play-offs. Tomorrow is an important game. Manchester is an important game but almost impossible. We'll fight for qualification against Club Brugge, Viking and Sabah," Allegri said.
He denied the injury crisis takes any pressure off. "It doesn't take any pressure off, because it's an important Champions League game against a strong team. Right now there's no need to talk and explain. There's only the need to act, to work, to get the injured players back and turn this negative period into a positive one."
On Rasmus Højlund and Kevin De Bruyne, he said: "Højlund's fever has gone. De Bruyne will train today, and afterwards we'll see if he's available for tomorrow."
VENICE, ITALY – OCTOBER 17: Head coach of SSC Napoli Massimiliano Allegri during the Serie A match between Venezia FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on October 17, 2026 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Asked about fears of a repeat of the season Napoli finished 10th, Allegri said: "Right now it's time to act, not to talk. It's not an easy moment. We've had mixed results and haven't yet managed to win two league games in a row. But what's certain is that we have to keep working, get back all the players who will return after the international break, and try to turn things around in the league, where there will be time and space to recover. In the meantime, we're thinking about tomorrow, there's a game to play."
He returned Francesco Farioli's praise . "I think Farioli, a young coach, has already achieved good results, both in the Netherlands and in Portugal. He has a very important career ahead of him."
On the threat Porto pose at home: "We know Porto are very aggressive at home, and they have technical, physical and high-quality players. When we have the ball we'll need to be good technically, and when we don't we'll need to defend well, which is something we've done less this season."
Asked whether Porto would press with fewer players or match Napoli's numbers, he said: "I don't know, it depends on what Farioli decides. Whether it's numbers even or an extra man, you have to behave in two completely different ways."
