NAPLES, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: SSC Napoli head coach Massimiliano Allegri during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Bologna at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Max Allegri warned Napoli “need to be angry” and must be more determined after their 1-1 draw away to Fiorentina and accused Rasmus Hoylund of being “obstinate”.
The Partenopei took an early lead at the Estadio Franchi thanks to Billy Gilmour’s corner volley, only to take the lead when Alex Jimenez’s shot was badly deflected.
Allegri sees Naples glass half empty
“I thought it was a good technical performance, with two incidents of hitting the crossbar, but sometimes we need to be more determined on both sides of the ball.” Allegri told DAZN Italy.
“A lot of it comes down to your determination to attack the ball, whether it’s going forward or defending in your own area.”
Fiorentina looked increasingly tired as the game wore on, but Napoli could not take advantage despite dominating possession in the latter stages.
“We may be growing, but if we don’t leave the pitch with anger today, it means we still have a long way to go. Having a lot of possession is not enough, we should create and convert more scoring opportunities,” Allegri added.
“We train to improve everything but what we absolutely have to do is show more focus because with a minute left we conceded the ball cheaply and were off-balance. In this case we at least need to take the result home.”
Napoli are six points adrift of the leaders through the first five games and have lost at home to Arsenal, so how does Allegri view the title race?
“I think there are a lot of strong teams this season, so it’s a very difficult league. We have to work hard to recover players with certain characteristics, stay calm and do more.
“We need to leave here today angry because we could have done better in every area, but we have to be angry about this result otherwise it’s worrying.”
Hojlund was surprisingly substituted early against Fiorentina, making way for Lorenzo Luca just an hour before kick-off, so what prompted the decision?
“He works hard, but there are moments in the game where you have difficulties. He is a bit stubborn at certain moments. We need to overcome our limitations because if we only think we are better than our opponents, we will pay the price. This is something we absolutely have to improve,” Allegri concluded.
During the press conference, the coach also noted that Andre Frank Zambo-Anguesa suffered “groin discomfort” when he was substituted.