Massimiliano Allegri, Napoli's coach, realizes that his team is required to "do more" after losing the last three matches, stressing that the present time is "not for talk, but for action."
Napoli will host Bologna, on Sunday, in the fourth round of the Italian League, in an attempt to regain its balance after a difficult start to the season, which saw it lose three times in the last four matches it played in all competitions.
Allegri said in statements reported by the Tutto Napoli website on Saturday: “Tomorrow is our opportunity to start achieving victories at home. We have not done that yet, and there is not much to say. We know our situation, three defeats in a row, and there is not much to talk about, but we have to work. We have an opportunity tomorrow to get three points against Bologna, who achieved a good result against Sassuolo. It is a well-organized team and strong from a technical standpoint, but tomorrow’s match is very important for us, and this is clear to everyone.”
Frank Zambo Anguissa will miss Napoli due to a muscular problem, along with Scott McTominay, Mariannucci and Giovanni, while Noah Lang's position has improved and he is available to participate after he was excluded from Arsenal's Champions League match due to a disciplinary violation.
Allegri explained: “It is very simple, there is only one way. We are the only ones who can change this trend, and it is not as if anyone is going to give us anything. We need to calm down, take responsibility and realize the importance of the match. The result is the most important thing, because in the end it is what changes everyone’s mood, and certainly ours as well.”
Allegri also called on Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne to put in more effort, explaining: “I think he can give a better performance. He has performed well recently, and I am happy with him like everyone else, but if this is not enough, then we all have to give more.”
Italian national team coach Roberto Mancini is preparing to call up a number of new faces to the Azzurri roster during the matches between Belgium and Turkey in the European Nations League.
The Italian national team begins its second era under Mancini's leadership by facing Belgium in Rome on September 25, before visiting Turkey under the leadership of Italian coach Vincenzo Montella on the 28th of the same month, while it meets France in Paris on October 2.
Sky Sport Italia reported on Saturday that Mancini has already contacted about 70 players to inform them that they are being studied, and that the final list will include about 30 players, and is scheduled to be announced on Friday, September 18.
Mancini is initially focusing on resolving the position of some players with dual citizenship, to avoid the possibility of them choosing to represent other teams. Among them is Issa Doumbia, the Sporting Lisbon player, who was born and raised in Italy and played three matches with its under-21 national team, but has not participated with the first team yet.
Samuele Inacio, the 18-year-old Borussia Dortmund talent, also receives special attention. He previously played one international match with Italy in June 2026, but it was friendly, which means that he is still legally able to change the team he represents in an official match, amid interest from Brazil in including him.
As for Alessandro Romano, who turned 20 last June, he was born in Switzerland and represented its national team in all age groups, even U-20, but he decided a few days ago to change his international association and choose to represent Italy. The Cagliari midfielder caught attention after scoring his team's first goal during the victory over Parma in the Italian League.
Other players who may get a chance with the first team after their brilliance in the Italian League this season include Milan's Alphadjo Cisse, Como's Mattia Liberal, Napoli's Constantino Favasoli, Parma's Simone Lontani, along with Michael Kayode, the 22-year-old professional right-back at Brentford.
There are still two other players with dual assets in Mancini's accounts, but Udinese's Matteo Palma is currently absent due to injury, and therefore he does not need to decide between Italy and Germany at the present time. Nicolo Trisoldi, the Club Brugge striker who previously represented Germany under 21 years, has not decided his position, and it appears that he will not make his decision before the European Under-21 Championship.
Mikael Antonio has joined Watford on a one-year free transfer as the former West Ham United striker returns to English football.
The 36-year-old player, who is West Ham's all-time top scorer in the English Premier League, was involved in a serious car accident in December 2024 when his car collided with a tree on his way home from training. He suffered a fracture in his femur in 4 places, and did not play with the team again.
Antonio left West Ham in August 2025 after the London club decided not to renew his contract. The team was relegated to the First Division after finishing 18th in the English Premier League last season.
Antonio joined Qatari club Al Sailiya in March, the first club he joined since undergoing surgery following the accident.
Antonio said in a statement on Friday: “There is a wonderful group of players here... They are fully focused and ready to show their abilities this season.”
He added: "Watford is a big club, and I am in the process of joining it, and I hope to achieve success and help in every way I can."
He continued: "I scored some goals against Watford! So I hope I can score some goals for Watford now when I'm at my best."
Watford ranks twelfth in the First Division with 8 points from 6 matches.
