Napoli cancels pre-match press conference before Lazio game

Napoli has cancelled the press conference scheduled before its match against Lazio on Sunday in the 11th round of the Italian league. The unexpected decision comes with Lazio leading Serie A and unbeaten after 10 matches. It prompted questions and speculation.

The move caught journalists by surprise at the Castel Volturno training centre. Cameras were ready for Massimiliano Allegri when the media relations office asked those present to leave the room. The cancellation came just five minutes before the conference was due to begin.

The decision reportedly came directly from president Aurelio De Laurentiis, according to an Italian newspaper cited by Kooora. He is said to have arranged a closed training camp and imposed a media blackout before the match. Kooora also reports that De Laurentiis visited Castel Volturno, where he met Allegri and sporting director Manna to discuss the reasons for the team’s downturn. Napoli have entered the closed camp since Friday after consecutive defeats to Juventus and Porto.

The decision may not have been made at the last moment: Kooora reported that De Laurentiis had settled on the approach in advance, while the club statement was not issued in time. Another explanation, relayed by Kooora and attributed to an Italian broadcaster, is that the president wanted players to focus on training and matches while limiting his own public comments. He reportedly felt silence was appropriate at this important moment for the team.

In a message posted on his official account, the club president said: “There are no injury cases at Napoli.” De Laurentiis also explained his reasoning: “I don’t think press conferences are necessary before matches, especially since we play every three days.” He added that the team should avoid distractions during its training camp. Kooora described the cancellation as an effort to let the players’ performance speak, rather than as a punishment.

The sporting stakes contrast with Napoli’s media restraint. Lazio lead Serie A with 28 points from 10 matches, while Napoli are 10th on 14. Lazio have won nine and drawn once, scoring 24 and conceding 8; Napoli have four wins, two draws and four defeats, with 17 goals scored and 13 conceded. Across their last five league games, Lazio have won them all, while Napoli have two wins, one draw and two defeats.

The gap is also reflected in the home and away records. Lazio are unbeaten at home in five matches, with four wins and a draw, and have won all five away games. Napoli have two wins, one draw and one defeat in four home matches; away, their record is two wins, one draw and three losses. Sunday’s match therefore brings the unbeaten leaders against a side seeking a response after two defeats, while Napoli’s president has chosen to limit contact with the media.