Napoli: Lukaku returns, Juventus key, Conte eyes Champions League | OneFootball

Romelu Lukaku is finally seeing the moment of his return to the pitch draw near. According to Corriere dello Sport, the Belgian striker could be back in Napoli’s squad as early as Sunday, December 7, for the match against Juventus at the Maradona Stadium.

Napoli, Lukaku nearing return: Juventus could be the turning point, and Conte considers a Champions League move

This prospect, after weeks of personalized training and continuous monitoring, is becoming increasingly concrete.

Return imminent: the situation according to Corriere dello Sport

The week that has just begun will be decisive in determining whether Antonio Conte can once again include “Big Rom” in the squad list.

The newspaper writes: “This is the week that could allow Napoli to get Romelu Lukaku back. The coming days will be crucial to understand if Conte can also include Big Rom’s name among the squad for the match against Spalletti’s Juventus on Sunday evening at the Maradona.”

The definitive return to group training is now imminent, and the club is only waiting for the final clinical green light. Once cleared, his reintegration on the pitch will be gradual, but the process seems to be entering its final phase. “We’re almost there, just a little more: Big Rom is about to return.”

The Champions League scenario: Conte’s temptation

In addition to a possible comeback for the match against Juventus, a second possibility is also taking shape: Lukaku’s inclusion in the Champions League squad as early as the December 10 match against Benfica in Lisbon.

La Gazzetta dello Sport highlights that 105 days have passed since the injury and that the recovery process is showing encouraging signs: “Lukaku is in a hurry, he wants to get back, but when coming back from a ‘high-grade lesion of the rectus femoris muscle in the left thigh,’ it’s not wise to take risks. His body is responding, and training sessions inspire optimism.”

UEFA regulations allow for a mid-competition change in the Champions League squad, and Napoli’s injury emergency — with De Bruyne and Anguissa expected back only in February — has led Conte to consider an unexpected solution.

La Gazzetta adds: “Conte’s temptation is to call up Big Rom, include him in place of De Bruyne, and then wait for the January window to make other moves, perhaps taking advantage of the transfer market.”

Lisbon, Copenhagen, Chelsea: a schedule that speeds up decisions

Napoli is approaching a cycle of matches with a very high degree of difficulty:

Benfica (December 10, Lisbon)

Copenhagen (January 20, Denmark)

Chelsea (January 28, Maradona)

An intense European campaign that could increase the push for an early, though still cautious, return of the Belgian striker.

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