Massimiliano Allegri branded Napoli "too soft" at times against Como, as they slumped to defeat in their first Serie A home match this season.
Napoli 'too soft' defensively against Como, says Allegri
Napoli's first home match of the season did not go to plan, with Como beating them 2-1 to earn their first-ever league away win there.
All of the goals were scored in the first half as Como edged to a 2-1 victory, with goals from Martin Baturina and Tasos Douvikas sandwiching Rasmus Hojlund's equaliser.
Napoli, who had never lost at home to Como before Sunday, tasted defeat in their first home league match of the season for the first time since 2014.
It was their 2,700th Serie A match, with the result not fitting for their landmark match, as Napoli failed to match Como's intensity for large parts.
The visitors racked up just 1.0 expected goals (xG) from 21 attempts, with Napoli accumulating 1.4 xG but only having 13 shots, getting two of those on target.
And Allegri was left to rue some lapses, with a mistake leading to the second goal, which turned out to be the winner.
"At times we are too soft; on the other hand, we also had several chances," Allegri told DAZN.
"We need to understand when we can't play our way out and when we can. Technically, we misplaced several passes.
"The main thing is that we were too soft in the way we conceded the goals, especially the second one. You can't give away two chances in twenty seconds.
"There's one thing we absolutely need to improve: we have to be more attentive when defending. When you concede a corner or a shot at the end of the first half, you have to make sure you go into the break at 1-1."
Hojlund has found the back of the net in two consecutive Serie A home games for the second time in his career, following a spell in May-June 2023.
He is now off the mark for the season, and despite the loss to Como, he is so far enjoying life under Allegri, though he acknowledged Napoli must improve if they want to challenge in Serie A.
"The season is still long, and we can still play for the first spots," Hojlund told DAZN.
"Surely, it's [the defending] an aspect we have to improve, but we also have to improve in attack because I think we didn't have many chances.
"Last season, Conte was very strict about me having my back to the goal. This season, I have much more freedom, and I hope to score more goals like that."
