Massimiliano Allegri is under growing pressure at Napoli after a 1-0 defeat at Venezia on Saturday left the club with five losses from nine games across all competitions. The result, decided by an Akor Adams goal early in the second half, was compounded by Kevin De Bruyne missing a penalty that could have levelled the match, with Venezia goalkeeper Stankovic producing a commanding performance throughout. It was a result that confirmed the scale of Napoli's problems, with Allegri heading to the dressing room immediately after the final whistle.

The defeat extends a difficult run that began in the Champions League, where back-to-back losses to Arsenal and Villarreal have left Napoli without a point in Europe after two games, making the path to the last 16 already complicated. Domestically, the club sits ninth in Serie A with 10 points from seven games, and the inconsistency has been a recurring theme. Allegri himself acknowledged after the Villarreal loss that his side became frantic after conceding, a pattern that has not yet been corrected.

The squad situation adds further difficulty. David Neres picked up a muscle injury in Villarreal and missed the Venezia game, while Alisson Santos, who had only just returned from injury, hurt himself again during the defeat at the Penzo. Scott McTominay has also yet to produce his best form. Napoli now face Bodoe/Glimt in the Champions League on 20 October, a match that carries real urgency given their position in the competition.