Napoli injury crisis: makeshift midfield for Juventus clash | OneFootball

The injury situation at Napoli is becoming increasingly critical, with the infirmary literally clogged as the season progresses. The latest setback has affected a key player in the midfield, Stanislav Lobotka, who was sidelined by a muscle strain in the posterior tibial of his left leg just before the Coppa Italia match against Cagliari.

Napoli Ravaged by Injuries: Conte Without Playmakers and Forced to Adapt Elmas for the Big Match

The Sky Sport editorial team analyzed the severity of the situation, emphasizing that the absences are not just a numerical problem, but primarily a qualitative one: “There are many injuries, and the most striking aspect is that they are almost all concentrated in the same department.” These absences are ravaging Napoli, depriving them not only of quantity but also of essential elements such as ball control, quality, authority, and experience. The injuries are thus described as impactful because they affect the best and most utilized players, creating a real void in the heart of the team.

As a result, for the upcoming big league match against Juventus, coach Antonio Conte will be forced to make a virtue of necessity by reinventing the midfield line. The central pair is expected to consist of Scott McTominay and, in all likelihood, Eljif Elmas, an adaptation that sacrifices his offensive skills to cover the gap in playmaking. Antonio Vergara is also expected to be used, who could bring freshness and unpredictability as the match progresses.

Andrea Alati

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