Carlo Ancelotti left ‘dismayed’ by the state of Napoli’s unfinished changing rooms days before Liverpool game

Napoli have played their first two games of the season away from the Stadio San Paolo

Harry Latham-Coyle
Thursday 12 September 2019 15:32 BST
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Napoli open their Champions League campaign against Liverpool on Tuesday
Napoli open their Champions League campaign against Liverpool on Tuesday (Getty)

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Carlo Ancelotti is “shocked” Napoli’s dressing rooms are not yet finished ahead of their first home games of the season against Sampdoria and Liverpool FC.

The Stadio San Paolo was renovated over the summer, and Napoli played their first two fixtures away from home to allow the work to be finished.

But the changing rooms are not yet fully renovated, and with the Sampdoria game this weekend swiftly approaching, Ancelotti cannot believe they are not yet ready.

“I have seen the state of the dressing rooms at the San Paolo. There are no words,” Ancelotti said in a club statement.

“I accepted the club’s request to play the first two games away from home to allow the work to be finished, as was promised.

“You can build a house in two months, but they weren’t capable of renovating the dressing rooms!”

The city-run stadium underwent renovation recently to host the Summer Universiade, with seats replaced, a scoreboard implemented, and new lighting.

A Napoli spokesman told The Associated Press that there is no problem with the visitors’ dressing room.

Napoli posted a video of the changing room on its Twitter feed on Thursday showing unfinished walls and floors, along with missing sinks and electrical outlets.

Liverpool open their Champions League campaign at Napoli on Tuesday night.

But Ancelotti is concerned his side might not have the adequate facilities to best prepare for the fixture.

“Where are we supposed to get changed for the games against Sampdoria and Liverpool? I’m shocked at the incompetence of the people in charge of the work,” the veteran Italian manager continued.

“How could the Region, Municipality and Commissioners fail to respect the commitments that were made?

“It smacks of disregard and a lack of a bond with the city’s team. I’m dismayed.”

Additional reporting from the Associated Press

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