Allegri vows Napoli will attack with four forwards after Roma draw

Massimiliano Allegri says Napoli will adopt a more attacking approach, including the possibility of fielding four forwards, after his side surrendered a two-goal lead in a dramatic draw with Roma.

Napoli went 2-0 ahead before Roma fought back to level. The hosts then moved 3-2 in front, only for Roma to respond again and secure a result which left both teams frustrated.

After eight matches, Roma are third in the table with 18 points. Napoli have 11 points and are temporarily ninth.

Allegri angry after dismissal

Allegri was sent off after the fourth official intervened during the match and asked referee Andrea Colombo to dismiss him. The Napoli manager insisted he had done nothing wrong.

“The fourth official called the referee over and had me sent off. I didn’t say anything,” Allegri told DAZN, in comments reported by Tuttosport. “It’s over now, but it’s unfortunate.”

He added: “Next time I’ll sit on the bench and not move. Every time I move, I’m sent off. Last year I paid a fine of 80,000 euros. Perhaps I should stop going to the bench altogether.”

Allegri also suggested managers were not treated consistently, saying: “I see others moving around and doing more than that. So thank you, Saccani… what’s his name? Thank you, Saccani.”

He later clarified that he meant Sacchi, the assistant referee, before ending his comments about the match by praising his players.

Despite his anger, Allegri felt Napoli had produced a positive performance, including defensively, against a strong Roma side.

“The team played a good match, even defensively, against a strong Roma,” he said. “If we continue playing with this spirit, we will move up the table.”

Four forwards possible

Asked whether Napoli had moved away from the approach normally associated with him, Allegri revealed that he intended to make his team more aggressive.

“I now want everyone to play in an attacking way. I have changed my approach,” he said. “At the start of the season the situation was different, but from now on I will also use four forwards if I can.”

Allegri also discussed Kevin De Bruyne’s role in creating chances, explaining that the midfielder would not be able to play every match because Stanislav Lobotka and Billy Gilmour were also available options.

“It is unfortunate that we dropped another two points. I am angry about the ending, and perhaps I am not calm enough to analyse the match,” Allegri said. “I apologise. After 25 years of work, I can make mistakes too.”

The Napoli manager praised Rasmus Højlund after the forward missed several chances.

“He had three good opportunities and worked well for the team. The goals will come, and he needs to remain calm,” Allegri said.

He confirmed that Badiashile had suffered an injury and that the club would assess his condition over the following 48 hours.

Asked whether the draw with Roma was a positive or negative result, Allegri replied: “You tell me. After 25 years, I’m not in the right condition to explain the match. Thank you, and have a pleasant evening.”