Allegri Highlights Arsenal’s Defensive Threat Before Napoli Champions League Tie
Napoli head coach Massimiliano Allegri has identified Arsenal’s defensive organisation as the central challenge facing his side ahead of their Champions League meeting, praising Mikel Arteta’s work after the Premier League champions’ rise into Europe’s leading group.
Arsenal arrive in Italy having allowed only one goal across their opening three matches of the season, while Napoli are attempting to reset after successive Serie A losses under Allegri. The Italian coach believes his players must show greater collective discipline without possession if they are to compete with last season’s Champions League runners-up.
Allegri praises Arteta’s Arsenal
Allegri said Arteta had transformed Arsenal over the past four years, particularly through the defensive base established at the Emirates Stadium.
“Arsenal reached the Champions League final and won the Premier League,” Allegri said. “Mikel Arteta has done an extraordinary job over the last four years. He improved the defence, because Arsenal let in very few goals and operate together as a team. That is their biggest strength.”
Napoli have lost their last two league fixtures, against Como and Inter, and Allegri acknowledged shortcomings in the way his team has defended as a unit. He sees the European campaign as an opportunity to generate fresh momentum, but not as an escape from the issues exposed domestically.
“Tomorrow is a different competition to Serie A, a mini-league in which we need 12 points to qualify for the next round,” he said. “We understand how difficult this match will be. We have to approach it with pride and the wish to perform well. We are facing one of the best teams, and Europe brings different motivation and adrenaline.
“When we do not have the ball, we need to defend better collectively. Against both Como and Inter, that was an area where we did not do enough. We have to move forward step by step, while keeping belief, because the Champions League must be an ambition for everyone. It can help drive us on.”
Di Lorenzo demands response after defensive errors
Captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo said Napoli had reviewed the mistakes from last week, including a first half in which they conceded three times. The defender believes the visit of Arsenal comes at a useful moment following defeat, giving Napoli an immediate chance to respond on the continental stage.
“It is good, after a loss, to be back on the pitch straight away,” Di Lorenzo said. “We want to begin the Champions League well and we are ready for a strong match. We analysed the mistakes from last week and went over them again.
“Conceding three goals in one half is obviously not something that pleases us. It shows that mistakes were made, and we have to improve from tomorrow.”
Napoli finished 30th in the 36-team Champions League standings last season, and Di Lorenzo said the squad are determined to show they can compete at this level. He warned that Arsenal will punish even minor lapses.
“The Champions League is of such a high standard that the smallest error can be punished,” he said. “We need a near-perfect display to get a result. We must defend as a unit, manage certain phases of the game better and understand what is happening. We also have to defend with the ball.
“They are a powerful side and an important test of our level in a great competition, where we want to improve on last season.”
Travel delay and squad absences
Arsenal’s journey to Italy was delayed by air traffic disruption in the United Kingdom. Arteta will also be without Cristhian Mosquera, although Jurrien Timber has returned to the matchday group.
Napoli, meanwhile, must prepare without Scott McTominay after the midfielder underwent surgery recently.
