Massimiliano Allegri downplays the 'misunderstanding' with Kevin De Bruyne during Villarreal-Napoli and hints that Rasmus Hojlund might start on the bench against Venezia: 'He needs some rest.'
Napoli return to action tomorrow, visiting Serie A strugglers Venezia.
The Partenopei won their most recent Serie A match against Frosinone, but lost to Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Denmark international Hojlund has started all Napoli games so far, so Allegri confirmed the ex-Manchester United forward might rest tomorrow.
"We'll train today, then I'll decide whether Lucca or Hojlund will play," the Napoli boss said at a press conference via TuttoNapoli.
NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 10: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli is challenged by Giorgio Cittadini of Frosinone Calcio during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Frosinone Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
"Hojlund has played a lot of matches and needs some rest, or perhaps to come off the bench. Lucca also did well when he came on in Spain. He had a couple of promising situations; he took a shot in one of them but it was blocked, and his movement was good."
The match will mark Davide Nicola's debut as Venezia coach as he was appointed to replace Giovanni Stroppa earlier this week after six consecutive league losses.
"Nicola is a coach who has done well. He achieved an unthinkable escape from relegation at Crotone, among other accomplishments," Allegri said.
NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 10: Massimiliano Allegri, Manager of SSC Napoli, gestures during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Frosinone Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
"He is an excellent coach and is managing a team with no points in the table, but they have important qualities because they create a lot of chances. I watched their match in Bergamo and looked at the data, they did well."
Napoli have been far too inconsistent so far this season, losing both their Champions League matches and earning just ten points in six Serie A matches.
"I'm not concerned; we need to find solutions to the problems," Allegri insisted.
"We need to manage the ball better at certain points in the match and then deal better with unexpected incidents, such as Politano's misplaced pass, which can happen.
"When a team is strong, even during difficult moments, and there are opponents to consider too, your world cannot fall apart. Once that moment has passed, we still have plenty of time to improve.
"We just need to work, get all the players back and available, and manage playing every three days. We need everyone," Allegri continued.
"Anguissa, Olivera and Alisson will be available. Unfortunately, we have lost Neres again, as he has been struggling with these injuries, but Vergara and Favasuli are progressing well. They are not close to returning yet, but they are making progress. We also have McTominay and others who need to regain fitness by playing, because a match is completely different."
NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 10: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Frosinone Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Allegri and De Bruyne argued during Napoli's 3-1 loss to Villarreal on Tuesday, as the Belgian tactician doesn't seem happy with De Bruyne playing as a deep-lying playmaker. Is this another concern for the Partenopei boss?
"No, absolutely not. It was a misunderstanding during a particularly difficult moment in the match because we went from leading 1–0 to trailing 2–1, but it ended there," he said.
"These things happen and will happen again. Of course, it's better if we understand each other immediately. Either I speak English, or he speaks Italian."
Napoli have already dropped points from a winning position three times. What does it mean?
"It doesn't mean everything is a disaster, just as everything isn't perfect when you win," noted Allegri.
"That's not how it works. I understand your perspective and that the result shapes opinion, but that brings us back to the usual discussion: if the result determines the opinion, then the result is the most important thing, whether you have played better or worse. But we are still at the beginning."
