Houdini act in Venice leaves Massimiliano Allegri searching for an escape at Napoli | Nicky Bandini

Manager’s latest setback exposed growing doubts about his squad and his approach as Davide Nicola began his Venezia tenure with a remarkable win “I’ll love you even if you win,” promised the Venezia supporter’s banner. More gallows humour from a fanbase that proved long ago that

Manager’s latest setback exposed growing doubts about his squad and his approach as Davide Nicola began his Venezia tenure with a remarkable win “I’ll love you even if you win,” promised the Venezia supporter’s banner. More gallows humour from a fanbase that proved long ago that its relationship with the club could survive a defeat. They had endured six already in the first six rounds of this Serie A season: the only team in the division without a winor even a single point.

The last time they were in Serie A, in 2024-25, Venezia finished 19th. The time before that, in 2021-22, they finished bottom. Deja vu all over again?

A 3-1 defeat to Atalanta in the first game back after this month’s international break pushed Venezia to a breaking point. The club fired the manager Giovanni Stroppa, who had led them to the Serie B title and promotion the previous season. Continue reading...