Napoli's edge, Allegri's faith: Nkunku under fire but not out yet
19 December 2025
Match recap and Nkunku\'s status
Massimiliano Allegri, Milan\'s coach, publicly defended his player Christopher Nkunku, who failed to make a decisive impact in the 2-0 defeat to Napoli in the Italian Super Cup semi-final.
The tournament took place in Saudi Arabia and was broadcast exclusively through the Eight App, the rights holder for the competition after securing the Italian Super Cup rights.
Allegri\'s post-match verdict
After the game, Allegri said: \"We faced a strong Napoli, and we knew they were strong as well. We could have performed better in the two goals. It was a good game for both teams, but they defended better and deserved the win.\"
On the refereeing, the Milan coach added: \"The referee did a great job, as did the entire officiating crew.\"
He continued: \"Lately we have conceded soft goals and we need to improve in that area. We must view the defeat as a chance to rise again.\"
He further: \"We had several good chances and needed to attack the box more. If we commit the same errors as in the first goal, we must defend better; we must understand how to improve after conceding two in three games that could have been avoided.\"
He concluded: \"One match cannot end three months of work; we must analyze things calmly. Calmness is the only way to reach our goal, which is to finish the season in the top four.\"
Nkunku was like a ghost in the Napoli game, he did not leave a clear mark on Milan\'s attack.
Allegri defended his player: \"He gave a huge effort tonight, and he will get more chances. He has great potential and it will show. One goal could unlock his abilities, we must keep the faith in him.\"
Punchline 1: If patience were a goal, Milan would be leading the league by now, but time keeps the crosshair steady and the sniper busy.
Punchline 2: In Milan\'s playbook, the shot that hits the target is the one that never panics—the sniper\'s motto: stay calm, stay focused, and keep faith in Nkunku.
