Allegri: 'Napoli's Champions League fate is in our hands, but the league is more important'
With quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, the Napoli coach spoke at the Estádio do Dragão on Tuesday, before Wednesday's game against Porto, which kicks off at 21:00 CET [20:00 GMT]. During it, Napoli won 4-1 at Monza and lost 2-0 at Juventus, leaving them 10th on 14 points.
In Europe, they have three points from three games after defeats in their first two matches and a 4-3 win over Bodø/Glimt. He opened by paying tribute to Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel, who died at 30 after a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Owono during a match in Spain.
"First of all, I'd like to offer my condolences to the family of Jesús de Miguel for this tragic accident to a young man, before a footballer, who lost his life," he said. "Tomorrow's game is difficult, because Porto have won 10 in a row in the league, and they've played some good games in the Champions League too.
As for us, talking is of little use, we need to put in a good performance. In the Champions League, our destiny is in our hands, because with 10 points we'd reach the play-offs at least.
But then there's the league to sort out, and that's the most important thing." NAPLES, ITALY - OCTOBER 20: Massimiliano Allegri, Manager of SSC Napoli, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between SSC Napoli and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 20, 2026 in Naples, Italy. With 10 points you go to the play-offs.
Manchester is an important game but almost impossible. We'll fight for qualification against Club Brugge, Viking and Sabah, Allegri said.
He denied the injury crisis takes any pressure off. "It doesn't take any pressure off, because it's an important Champions League game against a strong team.
Right now there's no need to talk and explain. There's only the need to act, to work, to get the injured players back and turn this negative period into a positive one." On Rasmus Højlund and Kevin De Bruyne, he said: "Højlund's fever has gone."