Napoli seek turnaround: Lobotka, Lukaku to end crisis | OneFootball

Now or never. Napoli arrives in Riyadh with the urgency to change course and with two newfound certainties: Stanislav Lobotka and Romelu Lukaku. Antonio Conte knows that the semifinal against Milan is not just a do-or-die challenge, but a key step for the present and immediate future of his team.

Napoli, it's time for a turning point: Lobotka and Lukaku to stop the crisis and restart

The last two consecutive defeats have sounded an alarm that can no longer be ignored.

Conte away from Maradona: the real issue

If he could, Antonio Conte would bring the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium with him to Saudi Arabia. The numbers are clear: at home, Napoli is almost impeccable, but away from Fuorigrotta, they continue to show evident weaknesses. In Riyadh, the Azzurri coach has two non-negotiable goals: to end the negative away streak and to take revenge against Milan after the defeat at San Siro.

Two returns that change the scenario

In the most delicate moment of the season, encouraging signs are arriving. Lobotka, already seen for a brief spell in Udine, is ready to resume his role as the midfield metronome. His return allows Napoli to regain order, rhythm, and cleanliness in ball management, aspects that have been missing in recent outings.

Next to him, Conte hopes to also utilize Lukaku. The Belgian returns after a long break and will not start from the beginning, but he represents a fundamental offensive weapon during the match. His presence can change the specific weight of the attack, especially against a Milan that is dangerous when finding spaces but vulnerable when forced to defend deep.

Formation in evolution: Conte evaluates the flanks

The final choices will only come after the last training session. The main doubts concern the wings: Olivera or Spinazzola on the left, with the former dealing with a slight calf strain. Further up, Politano is a candidate to start on the right, while the contest on the opposite wing between Spinazzola advanced and Neres remains open, with possible rotations between the flanks.

One certainty, however, concerns McTominay, who with Lobotka's return can return to occupying the role of mezzala, with greater freedom to insert himself. Upfront, it's Hojlund's task to stretch the team and create spaces against Milan's compact lines.

The problem of continuity

The real issue, however, goes beyond individuals. Napoli needs to regain solidity and continuity. The numbers tell of a season so far inconsistent: seven total defeats between the league and Champions League, with the recent double loss against Benfica and Udinese that has shaken certainties and confidence.

The team shows pauses that are difficult to explain, struggles to react when falling behind, and loses clarity in key moments. In a single match like the one in Riyadh, these limits can be decisive.

The absence of Anguissa and the tactical puzzle

Complicating the picture is the injury of André-Frank Anguissa. The Cameroonian was the true balancer of Napoli, crucial in defense, offense, and set pieces. His absence weighs heavily and finds no natural substitute in the squad.

It is now up to Conte to find the most effective solution to mask this absence and restore compactness to the team.

A match worth more than a final

Against Milan, it's not just a Super Cup final at stake. There's the need to reverse a dangerous trend, to regain confidence, and to prove that this Napoli still has room for growth and character. Lobotka and Lukaku represent two starting points. It's up to the field to say if they will be enough to change the course of the season.

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