Napoli’s rotation pays off, Lukaku set for Super Cup return | OneFootball

It’s not just a matter of technical choices: for Antonio Conte, rotation has become a game philosophy. After nine rounds of the league, Napoli has already used 24 different players, confirming a systematic rotation that stands as one of the keys to his tactical project.

Napoli, rotation as a winning strategy: Conte has already used 24 players. Lukaku set to return for the Super Cup

The reigning Italian champions return to the pitch today at 6:00 PM against Como at the Maradona, before facing Eintracht Frankfurt at home on Tuesday in the Champions League. Two matches in quick succession, two objectives to achieve: defending the top spot in Serie A and consolidating European qualification.

Conte and the culture of rotation: balancing intensity and performance

Managing energy has become a hallmark of Conte’s Napoli. “A winning team does change,” writes Marco Azzi in La Repubblica, highlighting how the coach is tackling the autumn calendar with a precise strategy: alternating players to keep competitiveness high on both fronts.

The goal is twofold: to preserve physical condition and to enhance the entire squad, allowing every player to feel part of the project. The numbers speak for themselves: after just nine rounds, a remarkable 24 players have already collected minutes on the pitch, a figure unmatched among the league’s top clubs.

The choices for Como: five expected changes

In today’s match against Como, Conte is ready to make more changes. According to the latest indications, there will be five new faces compared to the game against Lecce. Spinazzola, McTominay, and Neres are ready to return, along with Rahmani and Højlund, the latter set to reclaim his place at the center of the attack.

The Napoli coach is relying on controlled rotation, which does not disrupt the balance but maintains the necessary intensity to face the double challenge. “The schedule gives us no respite, but the squad is built to withstand this pace,” Conte reportedly told his staff during yesterday’s final training session.

Lukaku, return in sight: Super Cup target in December

The only long-term absentee remains Romelu Lukaku, sidelined since August with a serious muscle injury. The Belgian striker returned to Naples a few days ago after recovering at home and yesterday completed his first individual training session at Castel Volturno.

The goal, according to the medical staff, is to rejoin the group by the end of November and reach full fitness for the Italian Super Cup in mid-December in Saudi Arabia. Today, Lukaku will be in the stands at the Maradona to support his teammates, a sign that his recovery is now close.

Rotation as a management model

Napoli has built its strength on squad depth. Rotations are not an obligation, but a conscious choice for tactical continuity: every player, from the experienced captain to the new arrivals, is part of a fluid mechanism, adaptable to any opponent.

In a schedule packed with league, Champions League, and domestic cup fixtures, rotation is not a risk, but rather a strategic management tool that allows Conte to keep the competitive level high and prevent injuries.

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