Former Napoli coach Reja analyzed his former club's difficult start, emphasizing that character and personality are key for Napoli to restart.

If you spent 1,514 days in Napoli, observing the city from the coaching bench, you have the right to describe, interpret, and narrate it as if you were sitting on a volcano yourself. Edy Reja is like a renowned volcanologist—for four years and two months, spanning five full seasons—he has always been close to this extreme emotion that is now resurfacing: 4 matches, 1 win, and 3 losses. His friend Allegri is now facing unfamiliar territory and needs encouragement. "I believe in Allegri, and I believe in his players, even though they are dealing with some injuries."

What do you think of Napoli's start?

"If you only look at the results, it's bad. If you analyze some details and break down the matches, the story could have been completely different. For example, if Anguissa had scored in the 90th minute at San Siro, or if De Bruyne had found someone to equalize in the 90th minute at the Maradona stadium, would we still be discussing the same thing?"

As one coach speaking to another, these judgments come naturally.

"I think Allegri must remain optimistic and deserves support. From a distance, however, I feel somewhat pessimistic. Disappointment certainly exists, which is normal, but it must be said from another perspective: he faced three opponents that anyone could have lost to. The worst phase is over, and there are positive signs: they played openly against Inter; against Arsenal, they changed their approach, withstood the pressure, and had chances to hurt their opponents more than once."

In this situation, there is only one remedy.

"Of course, it's a victory. Against Bologna, there can be no distractions, and the team must resurface with the capabilities it possesses. We've already seen some encouraging things in the matches, but results always shape how people perceive a team: if they had only drawn against Inter and Arsenal, people's evaluation of Napoli would be completely different. But Allegri is an excellent tactician; he understands these things and knows how to get out of difficult periods."

Which is more important: tactics, technique, or personality?

"All three together would be ideal, but in tense moments on the field, personality matters most. Allegri is the leader of Napoli, just as he has been throughout his career, and he will guide the team in the right direction."

Anguissa's situation has improved, and Lobotka has been welcomed back.

"The team has already lost some players to injury, so getting two or three back would help a lot. If Anguissa returns to his previous form, it will be a significant gain—a player who can almost single-handedly break up play and also push forward to attack. I noticed that in the first few games, he was almost always in the box with real chances. Later, he had bad luck, but that's normal."

The defensive statistics illustrate the team's struggles.

"These statistics relate to the quality of the opponents they faced, and the matches must be reviewed with that context in mind. But Napoli wasn't simply beaten passively against Inter; they were forced into defensive positions at times, but they also came close to scoring on several occasions."

The match against Arsenal highlighted the gap between Italian football and the Premier League.

"They are the defending champions and reached the last Champions League final. They are an excellent opponent; the match was highly entertaining to watch, and the football was played at a different level, with underlying economic disparities. They accelerate, cut inside, and execute incredible moves with a group of players that are easy to admire. When it came to substitutions, you could see how many options Arteta had. England is ahead; we've known and discussed this for a long time."

Which players can Allegri rely on to bounce back quickly?

"I really like Gilmour. My most reassuring choice is still De Bruyne, because when he's in form, he's in a different class. In certain moments during Wednesday's match, you could already see what he's capable of. You have to match his rhythm, understand his intentions, anticipate his movements; his touch always catches opponents off guard. I would also mention Lobotka, who is always composed and one of the most important midfielders. But overall, I think this team is very solid."

Napoli vs. Bologna has personal significance for Reja.

"This match will take me back to my youth and remind me of experiences that enriched my life. When speaking of Napoli, I've mentioned many times my relationship with the fans and those wonderful years from Serie C through to European competition. It's a club I will always consider my own. Bologna is equally special, but for me, it's also a wound. I took over from Zaccheroni midway through the season, early in the Guzzoni-Frascaroli era, and immediately launched a seven-game winning streak, successfully reaching the promotion play-offs. Fate had me face Spal, the team where I started my career at a higher level as a player, and we were eliminated. I still remember that disappointment. The pain of losing never truly goes away."

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