Allegri to De Bruyne: 'I Didn't Need to Convince Him — I Just Told Him Where He Was Playing'
Allegri Stands Firm Over De Bruyne's Role
Max Allegri has made his position on Kevin De Bruyne unmistakably clear. Speaking to DAZN Italia before Napoli's Serie A meeting with Roma at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, the Partenopei coach dismissed the idea that he had to talk the Belgian international into a deeper midfield role he has openly admitted he does not relish.
"I didn't need to convince him, I just told him that was where he was playing, he knows how to move," Allegri said. "I put three in midfield and they are free to play."
The question had been put to him directly: how had he squared the former Manchester City midfielder's stated preference for a trequartista role with a job as a deep-lying playmaker? Allegri's answer left little room for negotiation, and the selection confirmed it — this was the first time in Serie A this season that De Bruyne and Scott McTominay had started a match together, with the Belgium international once again deployed at the base of the midfield rather than in the hole.
Why Three in Midfield
Allegri framed the arrangement as a question of balance rather than ideology, pointing to the contrasting profiles of the men around De Bruyne. "Anguissa provides greater balance, while McTominay is certainly a more attack-minded player than the other two," he explained, suggesting the Scot is being given licence to break forward while the deeper pair hold the structure.
The setup is a notable test of a relationship that has drawn scrutiny in recent weeks. Allegri publicly played down talk of a rift with his playmaker on 16 October, describing a touchline flashpoint during the Champions League defeat to Villarreal as a misunderstanding rather than evidence of a deteriorating bond. Earlier this month, on 11 October, a De Bruyne brace had powered Napoli past Frosinone, with Allegri insisting afterwards that the Belgian is "even better" in the deeper midfield role.
Injury List Leaves Napoli Short
Allegri's selection was partly dictated by availability. Amir Rrahmani has been struggling with flu symptoms in recent days and was not even named on the bench, while Antonio Vergara returned to the squad after an injury sustained on international duty. Alisson Santos, David Neres, Costantino Favasuli and Alessandro Buongiorno remain long-term absentees, thinning the options available to the coach across defence and the flanks.
Pressure Builds Despite Bodo/Glimt Win
Napoli entered the Roma fixture with the mood around the club still uneasy, despite a 4-3 Champions League victory over Bodo/Glimt in which the defensive performance troubled the coach as much as the scoreline pleased him.
"These are details that make the difference, so if you are not determined to close down players for the pass, the cross or the shot, you will have more difficulty," Allegri said. "I got the feeling against Bodo/Glimt that we could concede at any moment, and were too sluggish."
The immediate backdrop is a 3-1 defeat at rock-bottom Venezia last week, a result that interrupted a three-match unbeaten run and triggered fresh debate over the coach's future. "We’ve got to get back on track against a strong Roma side that is doing well," Allegri said. "It is without doubt going to be an entertaining match that isn’t over until it’s over."
Kick-off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is at 18.00 CEST — 17.00 UK time.