Allegri: ten points for playoffs, but Hojlund and De Bruyne uncertain

The blue coach Massimiliano Allegri presented the Champions League tie against Porto, reminding that with ten points you reach the playoffs, while he gave an update on Hojlund's condition, still injured, and on De Bruyne, who will take part in training to assess his availability for tomorrow.

Allegri presented in a press conference the tie between Napoli and Porto, valid for the fourth matchday of the Champions League group stage.

The day after the away match at Estádio do Dragão, the coach tackled several topics, focusing on the team's difficult moment, the injury emergency and the importance of regaining continuity of results.

Condolences and Physical Issues

The coach first wanted to remember the young player Jesus de Miguel, who died in a tragic accident, expressing condolences to the family.

He then analysed the difficulties linked to the numerous physical problems that are affecting the team's work.

Tomorrow's match is difficult because Porto come from 10 league wins and also in the Champions they have played good games. As far as us are concerned, talking serves little purpose, we need to deliver a great performance. In the Champions League we have destiny in our hands because with 10 points we would be able to reach at least the playoffs. But then we have to sort out the league, which is the most important thing.

Allegri ruled out that the injury emergency could be a mitigating factor, stating that it does not relieve pressure because it is an important Champions match against a strong team.

Napoli gear up for Champions League clash with Porto as Politano leads pre‑match press conference

Objectives in the Champions and in the League

Regarding the unavailable players, he confirmed that Hojlund is still injured, while De Bruyne will take part in today's training to assess his availability for tomorrow.

He also emphasized that the match is not the last resort, as with ten points you reach the playoffs, but the qualification will also be decided against Club Brugge, Viking and Sabah.

Allegri expressed concern about the league performance, where Napoli has not yet managed to secure two consecutive wins.

He urged the squad to keep focus on the daily work, to get all players back after the break and to turn the league tide around, while still thinking about tomorrow's match.

Porto, dominant in Portugal but Champions fragility, faces Napoli

Finally, he praised Francesco Farioli, Porto's coach, describing him as a young manager who has already achieved good results in the Netherlands and in Portugal.

He concluded by noting that Porto is very aggressive at home, with technically skilled, physical and valuable players, and that Napoli will need to be technically good in possession and defend well when they do not have the ball, an area where they have been less effective this year.