Allegri sent off in Napoli's 3-3 thriller with Roma, vows to stay quiet on the touchline

Allegri sees red as Napoli let slip lead against Roma

Massimiliano Allegri was in no mood to hide his frustration after being sent off in Napoli's 3-3 draw with Roma. The coach was shown a red card for dissent after Roma's equaliser, with he and his players convinced that Sam Beukema had been fouled by Leonardo Balerdi in the build-up to the Argentina international's decisive header.

It was the culmination of an epic battle. Napoli surged into a 2-0 lead through Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Scott McTominay, before Roma fought back with goals from Matias Soulé and Balerdi in the space of five minutes. McTominay drilled in from distance to restore Napoli's lead at 3-2, only for Balerdi to head in a last-gasp equaliser.

'I said absolutely nothing'

Speaking to DAZN Italia, Allegri was scathing about the decision. "The fourth official called the referee and got me sent off, but I said absolutely nothing," he said. "Next time I will have to sit on the bench and not move, because every time I move, I get sent off. I had to pay €80,000 in fines last season, so maybe I shouldn't even be on the touchline from now on. I see others who practically run onto the pitch and nobody says anything, when I move, I'm punished."

He added with sarcasm: "I thank the fourth official Saccani, and for the rest, I can only congratulate the lads for their performance."

Defensive concerns mount

Napoli fans are growing increasingly frustrated with the number of goals being conceded, having already seen their team win 4-3 against Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League midweek. Allegri acknowledged the team had done well defensively for long spells but admitted the late collapse was costly.

"I think this evening the team played well, also defensively, against a strong side. We had the chance to go 3-0 up, we then had the lead at 3-2, but conceded again. If we play with this spirit, we will climb the table."

Asked about conceding so many goals given his reputation as a defensive coach, Allegri replied with more sarcasm: "I changed my way of playing now, it is all on the attack. Since the start of the season, I even try to use four strikers if I can."

The draw means Napoli have taken just one point from their last two Serie A matches, having lost 3-1 at bottom-of-the-table Venezia before throwing away a lead against Scudetto contenders Roma. They have also yet to win two matches in a row in all competitions this season.

Hojlund goalless and Badiashile injury

Rasmus Hojlund has now gone eight competitive appearances for Napoli without scoring. Allegri defended the Denmark striker, saying: "He had three very favourable situations this evening, he worked for the team, which was not easy. He had a header in the first half, another couple of situations, so the goal will arrive eventually."

Benoit Badiashile limped off with a muscular issue in the second half. "Unfortunately, he had this injury and we will evaluate it over the next 48 hours," Allegri said.

'I am in no condition' to analyse

Asked whether he saw the glass as half-full or half-empty, Allegri was clearly exasperated. "I don't know, you tell me if it's half-full or half-empty. I am in no condition right now, for the first time after 25 years, to give you any clear answers on the match. So I'm sorry, but I have to wish you a good night."