Napoli, Conte loses Neres: he’ll miss Lecce clash, injury crisis deepens | OneFootball

Yet another setback for the Azzurri: David Neres will not be available to Antonio Conte for Tuesday’s match against Lecce. The Brazilian joins a long list of unavailable players that keeps growing, complicating the plans of the Salento-born coach ahead of the midweek fixture.

Napoli, Conte loses Neres: he’ll miss Lecce. Injury emergency grows more severe

According to Corriere dello Sport, David Neres will not take part in Napoli’s away match against Lecce. The Brazilian winger, who left the pitch fatigued in yesterday’s match against Inter, walked off on his own but was complaining of cramps and muscle pain. The Azzurri’s medical staff doesn’t want to take any risks, which is why Conte has decided not to call him up, giving him a few days of rest.

The coach is considering several options to make up for the absence of the Brazilian and Kevin De Bruyne, who is also dealing with a hamstring problem. “Conte is considering returning to a pure trident, but there are two days to find a solution. His ideas can make the difference, as everyone noticed yesterday,” writes Corsport.

An ever-growing injury list

Neres’s absence adds to an already heavily compromised medical report. Here’s the updated situation at Napoli:

Romelu Lukaku: return expected in 2026 after knee surgery

Amir Rrahmani: recovering, possible return in November

Stanislav Lobotka: will return after the late November break

Rasmus Hojlund: still sidelined due to unspecified muscle fatigue

Alex Meret: metatarsal fracture, out for at least a month

Kevin De Bruyne: hamstring muscle problem, to be evaluated

David Neres: fatigue and cramps, out against Lecce

A worrying picture for Conte, who in just over two months of the season has had to do without almost the entire backbone of the team.

Conte between emergency and tactical solutions

On Tuesday afternoon, at the Maradona, Napoli will host Lecce in a crucial match to consolidate their Champions League spot. With Neres and De Bruyne sidelined, Conte is reportedly considering a return to a pure trident attack, with Kvaratskhelia and Politano on the wings and Raspadori (or the young Simeone) at the center of the attack. An idea that would allow them to maintain offensive intensity, despite the numerous absences.

The coach, praised after the victory over Inter for his ability to read the game and manage substitutions, is therefore preparing for a new test. As the Roman daily reports, “his ideas can make the difference, and everyone noticed it yesterday. Even those who were ready to write him off.”

Analysis: Napoli in emergency, but Conte stands firm

Napoli’s season has started under the sign of resilience. Despite injuries and squad difficulties, the team is regaining cohesion and a spirit of sacrifice. Conte, true to his work ethic, does not look for excuses: he asks his players to react with character and focus.

Lecce, coming off a good performance against Bologna, represents a tricky test. But the Apulian coach is used to getting the most even in the most complex moments. The goal is to maintain Champions League pace and reach the November break with the squad on the mend.

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