Napoli cancels Allegri press conference five minutes before start

Napoli cancelled Allegri's pre-match press conference five minutes before it was due to start; president De Laurentiis cited the need for full concentration ahead of tomorrow's crucial Serie A clash with Lazio.

Napoli cancelled manager Massimiliano Allegri's pre-match press conference on Friday, just five minutes before the scheduled 3 p.m. start time. The press room was already full when the club notified journalists of the cancellation.

President Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed the decision via social media, stating that press conferences are unnecessary distractions when the team plays every three days. "When I realised we were going to hold another press conference, I preferred to cancel it," De Laurentiis wrote.

"Because I don't think press conferences before matches are necessary, given that we play every three days. We are in concentration and must avoid any distraction that prevents players from focusing on the match."

The move comes after Napoli's poor recent form—losses to Juventus (2-0) and Porto (4-1)—which have left them tenth in Serie A and 27th in the Champions League league phase. Tomorrow they face Lazio, who lead the Italian championship, in what De Laurentiis described as a key match for the team's immediate future and potentially Allegri's job security.