Allegri's Eight-Team Hit List for Serie A Season
Massimiliano Allegri is bracing for a Serie A season he believes could be the fiercest in years – and he’s drawn up an eight-team hit list.
The Napoli head coach, speaking to Sportmediaset, was clear: Inter are still the yardstick. But this is no duopoly.
“Inter are the favourites because they hold the trophy, but there will be at least eight teams to keep an eye on,” Allegri said, before reeling them off. “As well as the Nerazzurri and ourselves, also Milan, Juventus, Roma, Fiorentina, Como and Atalanta.”
Eight names. One Scudetto. A centenary on the line.
Centenary pressure and a crowded calendar
For Napoli, this isn’t just another campaign. The club’s 100th year has raised the temperature in the city and inside the dressing room. Allegri knows it.
“It’ll be a beautiful and demanding year,” he warned, underlining the scale of what lies ahead. Napoli must juggle a title push, a deep Coppa Italia run and a Champions League campaign reshaped by the new single-league format.
“We’ll have to be good at staying in it in Serie A, the Champions League and the Coppa Italia,” he said. “In the Champions League, however, we need to get through the single group stage and then reach the playoffs or the round of 16 as best we can.”
No talk of easing into the new system. The objective is clear: survive the marathon league phase in Europe and hit the knockouts in the strongest possible position.
Buongiorno blow tests Napoli’s depth
The optimism around Napoli’s prospects has been checked by a serious setback at the back. Alessandro Buongiorno, signed to anchor the defence, faces a long spell out.
“It’s a shame about Buongiorno, who will be out until January,” Allegri admitted, a rare note of frustration in an otherwise bullish outlook.
The response will have to come from within. The coach quickly pivoted to the options still at his disposal: “In any case I have Marin and Rrahmani, Beukema is behind but he’ll recover his best form, and if needed I also have Olivera. I’m confident.”
No panic, at least not publicly. Marin and Amir Rrahmani move to the forefront, Sam Beukema is challenged to rediscover his level, and Mathías Olivera becomes a tactical wildcard if the defensive puzzle needs another piece.
Hojlund under the spotlight
At the other end of the pitch, the conversation inevitably circles back to Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish striker carries the weight of expectation as the focal point of Napoli’s attack, and Allegri has never shied away from placing him in exalted company, previously likening aspects of his game to Harry Kane.
The comparison flatters, but it also raises the bar. Allegri made sure that message landed.
“He’s a very physical striker, he puts in the effort and is eager, but he needs to improve his goal-scoring record this season. He can do so given that he has all the potential,” the coach said.
Effort is no longer enough. In a title race Allegri insists will involve Inter, Milan, Juventus, Roma, Fiorentina, Como and Atalanta, potential has to turn into numbers on the board.
Napoli’s centenary season will not wait for anyone to grow into it.
