Napoli, Neres gets his big chance on his favourite wing | OneFootball

The injury to Matteo Politano is a significant loss for Napoli, but at the same time, it opens a great opportunity for David Neres.

Napoli, Neres has the most important opportunity. And it arrives on his preferred wing

The upcoming match against Torino, upon the resumption of the league after the international break, could indeed mark a turning point in the season for the Brazilian winger.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the former Ajax and Benfica player is ready to take on a leading role, finally in his natural habitat: the right wing, where he has showcased the best of his talent throughout his career.

“Neres has the right chance, in the role he loves”

“For Neres, this is the most important opportunity since he arrived in Napoli,” writes the newspaper. “Not only because Conte's team will have to compensate for Politano's absence, but because they can do so by enhancing the characteristics of a technical, quick, and unpredictable winger like the Brazilian.”

Neres has often alternated on the left side or in hybrid roles in the early season outings, but his ideal position remains on the right flank, from where he can cut inside and strike with his left foot.

An important advantage: he stayed in Castel Volturno

Another advantage for the former Benfica player is the continuity of work with Antonio Conte during the break. While many teammates left to respond to their national team call-ups, Neres stayed in Castel Volturno to train daily with the Azzurri's technical staff.

An aspect that is far from secondary: “Staying at the base,” writes Corriere dello Sport, “allowed him to refine the mechanisms and improve his understanding with his teammates. An advantage that could translate into a starting spot against Torino.”

Conte's alternatives: Spinazzola and Elmas in the running

However, Antonio Conte will not rely on just one tactical scenario. The coach is also considering Spinazzola, who has already shown he can operate on both wings, and Elmas, versatile and useful in providing balance during defensive phases.

Nevertheless, the feeling is that the coach wants to focus on a pure offensive winger, capable of creating superiority and making an impact in one-on-one situations. In this sense, Neres seems the most suitable profile to inherit Politano's role.

The challenge in Torino as a turning point

The match against Torino is therefore a decisive test for David Neres. After weeks of adaptation, the Brazilian can finally prove to be a real asset for Conte and make an impact in Serie A as he did in the past in the Netherlands and Portugal.

Without Politano, Napoli will look to him for quality and creativity to reignite the push on the flanks. And Neres knows well that this opportunity should not be wasted: his season can truly restart from here, on the wing he considers his home.

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