Allegri: I hope Arsenal's start this season will not be as smooth as last season

On the eve of Napoli's home match against Arsenal in the opening round of the Champions League league phase, Napoli head coach Allegri was interviewed by Sky Sport Italia.

Allegri, I really want to say that we have finally been waiting for you, because you have not participated in this competition for a full four years. Looking at the stadium behind you, it is truly wonderful and breathtaking. It feels almost like your own backyard in the Champions League...

I hope so. Tomorrow, after an absence of four years, we will compete in the Champions League again, which means I can finally take part in this great competition once more. Moreover, we will face a very strong opponent tomorrow, because they are the European runners-up and the Premier League champions. If I remember correctly, they won all eight matches in the group stage last season, going unbeaten throughout the campaign afterwards as well. I hope their start this year will not be as smooth as last year's.

After suffering such a difficult and bitter defeat that was hard to accept, how have you adjusted and dealt with the situation over the past two days?

During a long season, difficult moments are always unavoidable. Facing these challenges, we can only respond through down-to-earth work and by doing more and saying less. We must do everything possible to correct and eliminate the mistakes that are currently hurting us badly and causing our performances on the pitch to pay a heavy price.

You previously mentioned that the environment around the team can easily become highly emotional, but can also quickly fall into disappointment and negativity. Now that you have begun to understand and experience this city more deeply and better than a few years ago, what kind of atmosphere have you felt? What kind of environment are you receiving in this city?

The atmosphere in this city is very unique. The residents have an extremely passionate, even extraordinary, love for the team. The only thing we need to do now is try to win matches. The Champions League begins tomorrow, and it is a completely different competition, like a new and independent small league. Then, starting Thursday, we must fully refocus on the league, because we also have a match on Sunday before the international break. These two matches before the break are both extremely important for us.

Looking back at the 90 minutes that have just passed, what mistakes absolutely cannot be repeated tomorrow night? Please do not answer me with 'not conceding goals,' because that is too obvious...

Haha, that's not exactly it. The most important thing is that we must defend well, especially when we lose possession. In the previous two matches—whether at home against Como or away at San Siro—we were indeed lacking concentration during certain periods, and that is exactly what we must make up for and improve.

I will not ask you about the specific starting lineup, but the general feeling now is that De Bruyne could make his first start for the team this season. Would you be willing to confirm that?

Well... it is almost certain that McTominay will miss the match. It is also very possible that Anguissa will not be able to play tomorrow. Therefore, I will make an assessment tomorrow morning. Among Lobotka, Gilmour, Vergara and De Bruyne, three of them will start, while the other one will sit on the bench with me.

So three of them will play. Can we imagine a change in the tactical system, such as switching to a 4-2 formation with two defensive midfielders?

But in any case, these three players must all be on the pitch at the same time, that is certain. As for whether we use them as two playmaking cores or only one, everyone is in good condition. Besides, this is a Champions League match, an evening that absolutely deserves to be enjoyed and experienced, because the passion, emotional swings and adrenaline rush brought by the Champions League are wonderful experiences.

I agree with you. Although it is still early and the season has just started, can this be considered the first turning point or a moment for an initial assessment? Or, considering the opponent's strength, the unpredictability of the Champions League and all other factors, should we avoid making judgments too quickly?

Yes, tomorrow is not a life-or-death match where we either advance or are eliminated. Tomorrow is simply the beginning of our Champions League group-stage journey. We know that we need to collect a certain number of points, at least 12 points, in order to successfully advance to the next playoff stage, and that is our minimum target. To achieve this goal, we must play these eight matches well. Therefore, tomorrow's match will be very exciting, because we are facing the European runners-up and the Premier League champions.