Venezia had lost all six league games, and Nicola’s first match in charge beat Napoli 1-0
Allegri’s Napoli had the chances at the Penzo. Venezia had Akor Adams, and a goalkeeper who would not be beaten.
Oct 17, 2026
Davide Nicola had three days with the squad. Giovanni Stroppa, who won Serie B with Venezia last season, was sacked on Tuesday after six straight league defeats, and the promoted side went into Saturday’s game at the Penzo as the only team in Serie A without a point.
Napoli had most of the ball and took far more shots. It made no difference. Akor Adams scored four minutes after half-time, Filip Stankovic saved a Kevin De Bruyne penalty in the 68th minute, and Venezia held on for their first win of the season.
Lucca’s miscue and Adams’s finish
The goal came from a Napoli mistake. Lorenzo Lucca miscontrolled in midfield, Venezia broke, and Simon Sohm went long over the top. Adams held off Amir Rrahmani, cut inside and shot, and the ball deflected off the Napoli defender on its way past Alex Meret.
Venezia paid Sevilla around €16 million for Adams in July. Afternoons like this are what they paid for.
De Bruyne’s penalty and Stankovic’s afternoon
Massimiliano Allegri started De Bruyne and Rasmus Højlund on the bench, four days after a 3-1 Champions League defeat at Villarreal, with David Neres missing through injury. Both came on in the second half, and Højlund won the penalty when Matías Moreno brought him down in the box.
De Bruyne’s kick was a poor one, and Stankovic kept it out. It was the best of several saves from the Venezia keeper. Juan Jesus, who used to play for Napoli, then threw himself in front of a Højlund shot from an Alisson Santos cross to keep the lead intact.
Where it leaves them
Napoli stay on 10 points from seven games, with two defeats in five days. Allegri’s side made enough chances to win this one twice and scored none of them, which will bother him more than the table does.
Nicola has made a career out of rescuing sides near the bottom, keeping Genoa, Torino and Cagliari in Serie A. Venezia gave him a two-year contract on Wednesday. One win does not get them clear, but the zero has gone.