Allegri says Napoli must 'bring the boat into port' after 1-1 with Lazio

Napoli drew 1-1 with Lazio at the Maradona on Sunday 8 November, and head coach Allegri chose a nautical image to explain it. "The boat has to be brought into port. Last year at Milan we lost 11 points in a month."

Nor did the point come from a Napoli attacker. The equaliser was an own goal by Pedraza in the 48th minute.

Allegri then widened the discussion. "Everyone has to take stock: the president, the players and the coach." Of De Laurentiis he said: "I believe De Laurentiis also has a clear view of how things stand. This year, compared with expectations, there are objective difficulties, it's very simple."

Responsibility is shared, and that is true. Whoever builds the squad answers for the squad. But the coach answers for selection and tactics, and in that sentence the coach comes last. Allegri did not say what the objective difficulties are. Unexplained, the line is a premise, not an analysis.

The fans and the dressing room

On the supporters, Allegri was blunt. "When the team wins the fans are all great, when we lose we're not." But the rift with the stands did not start with a verdict on quality.

Lang, booked in the 44th minute, made a "can't hear you" gesture to the Curva A (the hardcore end behind the goal) during the first half. At full time he was heading for the tunnel when team-mates pulled him towards the Curva, which insulted him. It had happened before, after the Porto game, when he was the only player who did not go to the away section.

A break like that is repaired inside the dressing room, and Allegri's answer did not address it. On swapping McTominay and De Bruyne, he gave a tactical explanation: "I switched the players who win headers." It is a legitimate choice. It says nothing about how Napoli can score on their own again.

Gattuso's different scene

Gattuso described another mood. "It was like a wake in the dressing room, but I lifted them. I like that they are disappointed." He added: "It's true they were missing players, but look at who played. We could have scored a few more but I'm satisfied."

The league leaders left the Maradona upset over a draw. That disappointment and ambition are what is missing from the words of the man leading Napoli. The absences of Di Lorenzo and Olivera are a fact, but Gattuso himself pointed to who took the field.

Torino visit the Maradona on Saturday 21 November. Napoli will not need another metaphor then. They will need a team that goes out to win the game.