Allegri backs Napoli squad amid pressure after difficult start

Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri has given his players his “absolute and unconditional” backing, insisting they must be protected and supported as the club attempts to recover from a run of poor results.

Napoli face Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt in their third match of the league phase of the Champions League, with Allegri under growing pressure to deliver a positive result.

“I regret that the players have been criticised in a particular manner and style,” Allegri said at his pre-match news conference. “The players must be protected and helped, even in difficult moments.”

The Italian added: “All the players have my absolute and unconditional trust. When things become difficult and complicated, they should not be cast aside or abandoned.”

Allegri also challenged the squad to respond on the pitch and demonstrate their commitment to Napoli.

“The players need to raise their heads and prove that they deserve to wear the Napoli shirt,” he said.

The Napoli manager warned that the demands of the fixture schedule would make it impossible to select the same starting XI in every match.

“We have nine matches in one month, and another nine after the international break,” Allegri said. “I cannot always play with the same starting line-up.”

Napoli’s Champions League struggles

Reports in the Italian media have suggested Allegri could lose his job if Napoli fail to produce a positive result in their next two matches.

Napoli have lost both of their opening Champions League fixtures. They were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal before suffering a 3-1 defeat by Villarreal.

Those results leave Napoli 32nd in the table with no points.

Their domestic form has also worsened the pressure on Allegri. Napoli were beaten 1-0 by Venezia, who are bottom of the Italian league table.

The club now turns its attention to Bodø/Glimt, with Allegri maintaining that the players need support rather than being removed from consideration during a difficult spell.