Napoli warning for Venezia trip, pressure on De Bruyne and Lucca
FLORENCE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 20: Massimiliano Allegri manager of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Stadio Artemio Franchi on September 20, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Napoli director Giovanni Manna warns the ‘approach will be fundamental’ against rock bottom Venezia, with warnings for Lorenzo Lucca and Kevin De Bruyne.
It kicks off at the Stadio Pierluigi Penzo at 14.00 UK time (15.00 CEST).
The Partenopei have had a wobbly start to the season, with confidence further hit by a midweek 3-1 Champions League defeat away to Villarreal.
Napoli feeling the tension
“We need to get a result today to give a sense of consistency after the victory over Bologna and draw in Florence, as we’ve got to get moving up the table,” Manna told DAZN Italia.
“There are many head to head clashes coming up, so we need performances and points. There is another important game on Tuesday in the Champions League, but we have to stay concentrated today.”
There was tension between De Bruyne and Allegri during the defeat to Villarreal, when the Belgian seemed reticent to drop into a deeper playmaker role.
“I think we need to keep a balance here, it was a lot of bar talk, things got over-emphasised. We were down 2-1, there was tension, but then things get sorted out,” added Manna.
“Kevin is a champion and he can play anywhere he wants to. We’ve got to help him and all the players. He’s on the bench today, he can help coming on later.”
Venezia are rock bottom after losing all seven games this season between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, so they sacked coach Giovanni Stroppa and today make their debut under Davide Nicola.
At the same time, Napoli have a terrible away record, managing just one point from the last two Serie A fixtures outside the Stadio Maradona.
“It’s a pity about Stroppa, Venezia are a strong squad and we need to have the right approach today, that will be fundamental,” added Manna.
Coach Max Allegri rotates the squad today in Venice, resting De Bruyne and Rasmus Hojlund, so Lucca gets a rare start after being on the end of vicious criticism from fans and media.
“Lucca looks good in training, but has to understand the responsibility of wearing a shirt that was carried by the likes of Edinson Cavani, Gonzalo Higuain, Victor Osimhen and Romelu Lukaku.
“He needs to put in a performance worthy of Napoli, but that doesn’t mean feeling the pressure weighing on him, because we are not trying to do that. We all have faith in him, but it really does depend on him now.”
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