Napoli already appear to be nearing the end of their current cycle of European competitions, while manager Massimiliano Allegri is under scrutiny for his performances in the Champions League. According to data collected by Tuttomercatoweb's TMW podcast, Allegri won only one match in the Champions League from 2022 to 2026, the one against Maccabi Haifa. Last season he failed to qualify for the Europa League, which has a higher value for Milan, and in the current season he lost both matches in which he participated. These results have prompted reflection on Allegri's future and his role in the team.
In football, where changes are constant, a turning point is always possible. However, Napoli did not make any major moves in the summer to renew their squad and, according to the podcast's analysis, the club already appears to be nearing the end of the current cycle. Attention is therefore turned to the future of the team and the decisions that will have to be made in the coming months.
A central theme of the podcast is the future of Alex Meret, Napoli goalkeeper. Federico Pastorello, the player's agent, explained that the contract renewal was managed calmly: "There was a year in which it came close to expiring and we calmly renewed it." Pastorello added that although nine years is a long time, continuing could be positive, as Meret is now focused on returning to 100% to help the team. The goalkeeper, according to Pastorello, is a mature boy who can manage the situation of contract expiration. Meret's future will be evaluated based on the progress of the season, with general serenity on the part of all involved.
The podcast also mentioned the possibility of discussing Meret's future ahead of the January transfer window. The agent stressed that the final decision will depend on the player's performance and the team's needs. If Meret were to stay, his experience and maturity could prove fundamental for the final phase of the cycle in which Napoli finds itself.
In summary, Napoli are in a transition phase, with Allegri facing a critical evaluation of his performances in the Champions League and Meret preparing for a possible renewal. The next few weeks will be decisive in defining the direction of the team, both in terms of European competitions and squad management. The club will have to decide whether to stay on the same path or look for new solutions to guarantee a more consistent performance in continental tournaments.