Napoli cancel Allegri press conference, raising doubt over future
Max Allegri had his press conference surprisingly cancelled 10 minutes before it was due to begin, as the Napoli team has been put into a training retreat, further fuelling reports of crisis.
The encounter with Lazio kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday at 11.30 GMT (12.30 CET).
This clash could not come at a worse time for the Partenopei, who lost their last two matches in Serie A to Juventus and then the Champions League 4-1 away to FC Porto.
That trip highlighted some tension in the team, with Matteo Politano making cryptic comments about “only the Italians” taking responsibility for poor form, and an on-field row between Kevin De Bruyne and Lorenzo Lucca.
Napoli scrap Allegri press conference
Allegri was scheduled to speak in a press conference this afternoon with all the media figures assembled and cameras set up, when suddenly it was announced the whole event had been cancelled with 10 minutes to spare.
The unexplained turnaround only raised further questions about the situation within the Napoli camp and the future of coach Allegri.
The squad has been in a training retreat at the Castel Volturno camp since Friday to prepare for the match with Lazio, and President Aurelio De Laurentiis is also present.
According to Sky Sport Italia, it was De Laurentiis who decided to cancel the press conference, although why it was only confirmed after everyone had assembled is unclear.