Allegri explains De Bruyne ‘misunderstanding’, hints at Hojlund benching

Massimiliano Allegri, the manager of Napoli, addressed the recent "misunderstanding" between himself and Kevin De Bruyne during their defeat against Villarreal. Allegri downplayed the issue, stating it was a temporary situation which arose during a challenging period in the match. The Belgian tactician doesn't seem to have any ongoing concerns with De Bruyne's playing style, which involves a deep-lying playmaker role.

Allegri also hinted that Rasmus Hojlund might start on the bench against Venezia, due to the Dane's extensive playing time. "We'll train today, then I'll decide whether Lucca or Hojlund will play," Allegri declared during a press conference. Hojlund has started every Napoli game so far this season, and Allegri believes he needs some rest.

Napoli's upcoming match against Venezia carries significance as it marks the debut of coach Davide Nicola, who replaced Giovanni Stroppa after six consecutive losses. Allegri praised Nicola's ability to avoid relegation, despite his team's lack of points in the table.

Napoli's season has been inconsistent, leading to losses in both Champions League matches and just ten points in six Serie A games. Allegri insists that the team must find solutions to their problems and improve their ball control, particularly in critical match moments. Despite the recent setback, Allegri remains optimistic about the team's ability to bounce back, as they have ample time to recover and prepare for future games.