Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has reportedly ordered an emergency training camp for his squad following their disappointing 4-1 Champions League defeat to Porto. The decision comes amidst a period of poor results and growing internal tensions within the club.
Crisis Deepens After Porto Defeat
The heavy loss to Porto on Wednesday leaves Napoli with just three points from four Champions League matches, putting their qualification for the knockout play-off rounds at risk. Domestically, the situation is also challenging, with Napoli currently sitting eighth in Serie A, 14 points adrift of leaders Lazio after 10 matches.
Head coach Massimiliano Allegri is under significant pressure, having lost seven of his first 14 competitive matches in charge of Napoli. The team’s struggles have led to questions about their form and cohesion.
Dressing Room Tensions Emerge
Reports from Italian newspapers suggest a divided dressing room, with claims of multiple cliques affecting team unity. Tensions were visibly high during the Porto match, where players Lorenzo Lucca and Kevin De Bruyne were seen clashing on the pitch.
Following the defeat, forward Matteo Politano expressed frustration, hinting that some non-Italian teammates were not taking sufficient responsibility. La Gazzetta dello Sport specifically mentioned Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Amir Rrahmani as non-Italian players reportedly causing issues within the squad.
Crucial Lazio Clash Looms
The emergency training camp is intended to prepare the team for a critical Serie A encounter this Sunday. Napoli will host league leaders Lazio, who currently hold a 14-point advantage over them.
The squad is expected to report to their hotel on Friday and remain together until the match on Sunday, an unusual measure for a regular home league fixture. This game against Lazio will be Napoli’s last before the November international break, adding further significance to the outcome as they seek to turn their season around.