Massimiliano Allegri said only a "big performance" from Napoli would be enough to get the better of Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League and kickstart their campaign.
Under-pressure Napoli boss Allegri wants 'big performance' against Bodo
The pressure is mounting on Massimiliano Allegri in the early stages of his Napoli tenure, with Bodo/Glimt up next in the Champions League.
Napoli welcome the Norwegian side to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Tuesday, fresh from a damaging defeat to bottom-of-the-table Venezia in Serie A last weekend.
Allegri's side have lost five of their last nine matches in all competitions (W3 D1 L5), as many defeats as they suffered in their previous 29 games (W16 D8 L5).
Indeed, it is the first time since 2001-02 that they have lost as many matches at this stage, with the club operating in Serie B back then.
The result saw Napoli lose against a newly-promoted side in Serie A for the first time since February 2025 (1-2 vs Como), ending a nine-game unbeaten run against such opponents in the competition (W7 D2), piling the pressure on Allegri.
And things have not been much better in the Champions League for Napoli. Defeats to Arsenal and Villarreal leave them 32nd in the 36-team standings heading into MD3.
Napoli have never previously suffered three consecutive home defeats in major European competition, and Allegri is expecting a reaction.
"The game will be complicated, regardless of the other results," Allegri told reporters. "Last year, Bodo had a good Champions League [campaign], and they're good on the counter-attack.
"They're a strong side, very quick. In Munich, despite the result, they played a good game. They're dangerous when they win the ball back, so it will take a big performance."
Allegri has lost eight of his last nine Champions League matches (W1), as many as in his previous 40 combined (W24 D8). He has lost five in a row – the worst ever losing run by an Italian coach in the competition, and Bodo will provide tough competition.
Bodo have won six games in the Champions League in 2026 – already the most victories by a Norwegian side in a single year in the European Cup/Champions League.
They beat Bundesliga heavyweights Borussia Dortmund 1-0 last time out, responding well to their 5-0 thrashing against Bayern Munich in the first match of their campaign.
And they have previous against Serie A sides in the competition, too. Bodo won both legs against Inter in the play-off round last term.
Prior to this, Norwegian teams had only won once against Italian opponents in the European Cup/Champions League (D4 L8): AC Milan 1-2 Rosenborg in December 1996.
"Only we can get ourselves out of this," Allegri added on Napoli's current form. "If we manage to win, we'll see things differently.
"You have to question yourself every day. I've always done that, and I'll keep doing it as long as I enjoy this job. I'm sorry the players have been criticised in a certain way.
"Players must be defended and helped, even in difficult moments. They all have my unconditional trust. But when things are difficult, they mustn't be thrown overboard.
"They have to lift their heads and show they're worthy of Napoli."
