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

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 win or 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 by Atalanta in the first game back after this month’s international break pushed Venezia to breaking point. The club fired the manager Giovanni Stroppa, who had led them to the Serie B title and promotion the previous season.

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