Ancelotti and squad rebel at Napoli?

By Football Italia staff

Carlo Ancelotti refused to speak to the media and abandoned his contractually-obligated press conference after Napoli drew 1-1 with RB Salzburg, amid reports the squad rebelled against a training retreat.

A win would’ve secured their place in the Round of 16 this evening, with two games to spare, but Hirving Lozano cancelled out an Erling Haaland penalty.

Once again, the Partenopei wasted so many scoring opportunities and rattled the woodwork twice with Jose Callejon and Lorenzo Insigne.

There had already been signs of tension during the week, as President Aurelio De Laurentiis ordered the side to enter a training retreat to prepare for the game.

It was a decision that Ancelotti and the players were unhappy with and this evening the players all went home with their own vehicles or with friends and family.

There is no confirmation from the club whether this was a shared decision by the President or if Ancelotti took the situation into his own hands and scrapped the retreat.

It's reported that the squad refused to go back into the training retreat ahead of this weekend's Serie A game with Genoa and Ancelotti backed them against the club and President De Laurentiis.

Sky Sport Italia note that Lorenzo Insigne gave the traditional post-match interview on the pitch, but then Ancelotti and Fernando Llorente pulled out of scheduled media appearances without warning or explanation.

Even UEFA seemed to be stunned by the developments and were given no explanation, so Napoli will be fined.

Napoli are now second in Group E on eight points, as Liverpool beat Genk to reach nine, but FC Salzburg are on four.

Crucially, having won and draw, Napoli have the superior head-to-head record with the Austrians, so are still close to qualification.

They need to win one of the final two games to qualify, with a trip to Anfield and welcoming Genk at the Stadio San Paolo.

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