Napoli: Lukaku to return early, papers hint at sensational swap | OneFootball

The Belgian almost ready for a return to the field: targeting the Italian Super Cup

Lukaku ready to speed up recovery: Gazzetta and Il Mattino talk about a sensational relay at Napoli

Romelu Lukaku is making decisive strides in recovering from the rectus femoris injury. According to today's edition of Il Mattino, the Belgian striker could return to work at Castel Volturno by the end of October, after an initial rehabilitation phase in Belgium.

“The Belgian national team's doctors, whom he entrusted with his recovery path, have reassured the Azzurri club. Big Rom could be back in action in Naples by the end of October,” writes the Neapolitan newspaper, highlighting how the striker already has his sights set on the Italian Super Cup in Riyadh.

The only regret for Lukaku, at the moment, is not being part of the Champions League list, which allows him to recover without haste and reduce the risk of relapses.

Italian Super Cup 2025: dates and schedule

The 38th edition of the Italian Super Cup will again be held in Riyadh with a four-team format.

Semifinals:

Napoli – Milan: Thursday, December 18, 2025

Bologna – Inter: Friday, December 19, 2025

Final: Monday, December 22, 2025, between the winners of the semifinals

In this scenario, Lukaku's return could be crucial for Antonio Conte, especially for managing the offensive department.

La Gazzetta dello Sport: possible relay in attack

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Hojlund has taken center stage in attack: “He has taken the baton, starting to run, facing depth, the area, scoring in every way – in open field or even in the chaos of the penalty area, with his left foot or head.”

The newspaper highlights how the Hojlund-Lukaku-Lucca combination, along with possible contributions from De Bruyne or McTominay, could create a sensational relay for the championship race, allowing Conte to best manage the energies and offensive options of Napoli.

Gradual return between late November and early December

Lukaku's actual return is expected between late November and early December, provided his body responds positively to training. The priority remains the striker's health, avoiding risks and optimizing his reintegration into the team.

This recovery could prove crucial both for domestic league challenges and for the Super Cup, providing Conte with a significant option for the attack and managing the starters during a crucial period of the season.

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