Napoli show full faith in Lucca: no January exit despite struggles | OneFootball

The Coppa Italia Round of 16 between Napoli and Cagliari represents a crucial crossroads for several players seeking playing time, and in particular for striker Lorenzo Lucca. Barring any last-minute surprises, the center-forward will be included by Antonio Conte in the starting eleven—an opportunity that comes after being sidelined in the most recent league matches.

Lucca to Start in Coppa Italia: Conte Gives Him Another Chance and Rules Out a Transfer

So far, the former Udinese player’s record has fallen well short of expectations. Lucca is stuck at just one goal—the one scored against Pisa—and his performances have often been labeled as disappointing, resulting in a “total blackout” both in terms of scoring and overall impact. This situation has fueled numerous rumors about a possible departure as early as January, perhaps through a loan that would allow him to regain minutes and confidence elsewhere. However, at the moment, these market rumors have no concrete basis in the club’s plans.

The club and the Azzurri coach have made a clear decision: the idea of Lucca leaving is not even being considered. Both Antonio Conte and sporting director Giovanni Manna agree on the need not to further reduce a squad already tested by injuries. The management’s reasoning is pragmatic: Lorenzo Lucca is considered a useful and necessary resource for the second half of the season. This is because, with Romelu Lukaku’s imminent return from a long layoff, it is by no means guaranteed that the Belgian striker will immediately return to his previous top form. Having an alternative in attack, especially in a numerically reduced squad, is essential to manage the triple competition commitments of the season. The situation could theoretically change over the course of January, but only if extraordinary and unexpected transfer opportunities arise. For now, however, such a scenario is considered highly unlikely.

Andrea Alati

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.