Napoli's inconsistency is becoming the defining story of their season, and Saturday's 3-3 draw with Roma at the Maradona captured it in full. Allegri's side led twice and were still ahead at 3-2 with minutes remaining, only to concede a late equaliser that turned a potential statement win into a frustrating dropped point. The result leaves Napoli ninth in Serie A with 11 points from 8 games, a return that falls well short of expectations for a squad of their quality.

The evening did not end quietly. Allegri was sent off after Roma's third goal and his anger spilled beyond the touchline. His post-match comments, reported by the Corriere dello Sport, included a pointed reference to the Roma-Champions League controversy that cost him his job at Milan, suggesting the pressure of this difficult start is beginning to show.

Scott McTominay scored twice, his second consecutive multi-goal game, and remains one of Napoli's most reliable performers alongside Kevin De Bruyne. The pair are carrying much of the creative burden, and Allegri's reliance on them underlines how thin the margins are when either is absent. Defender Badiashile was also forced off injured during the second half, adding another concern to an already stretched squad.

Napoli travel to Monza on Wednesday in Serie A, a fixture that now carries added weight. Three consecutive games without a win in the league would deepen the pressure on Allegri considerably.