Napoli’s Champions League exit leaves them focused on Serie A and Coppa Italia amid a heavy injury list. Romelu Lukaku is accelerating recovery but remains short of full match fitness, so punters may favour Napoli in single-match markets or cautious handicap bets rather than high-scoring or heavy-win wagers until key attackers return.
Conte admits mixed feelings after Champions League exit
Antonio Conte described Napoli’s 3-2 defeat to Chelsea as a game that deserved more reward, but conceded elimination leaves “mixed feelings.” He insisted the performance showed Napoli is on the right track at European level despite regrets, and stressed the squad can learn from the experience to do better next time.
Focus shifts to Fiorentina at Maradona
Napoli host Fiorentina at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with kickoff scheduled for 17:00 GMT (18:00 CET). With the Champions League out of the way, the club’s priorities narrow to Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
Injury crisis dominates Conte’s concerns
Conte confirmed a lengthy injury list is hampering selection, ruling out several regulars. The absentees include Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, David Neres, Matteo Politano, Amir Rrahmani, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne and Billy Gilmour. The coach warned that the scarcity of fit players has affected training and match preparation, forcing tactical adjustments.
Loan movement and squad juggling
Luca Marianucci completed a loan move to Torino, a sign Napoli are reshaping squad depth while managing minutes and recovery schedules for those returning from injury.
Lukaku edging back but not yet match-fit
Romelu Lukaku has made limited appearances — 19 minutes across two matches — as he accelerates recovery from a serious injury. Conte made clear patience is required and that the club may organise midweek friendlies to speed up his return to full match fitness. Lukaku remains an important presence on and off the pitch, but his immediate impact will be measured.
Tactical implications and squad management
Conte said the reduced fixture load after European elimination is a silver lining, making the calendar more manageable amid the injury toll. He believes Napoli can still achieve significant satisfaction domestically if the squad regains fitness and converts chances more consistently.
Betting implications
The injury list and Lukaku’s limited minutes suggest Napoli may not have their usual attacking firepower for upcoming fixtures.
Punters might consider:
- Market caution on high-scoring bets for Napoli matches until attackers return.
- Value in Napoli to win with conservative handicaps or single-match bets rather than heavy-accumulator reliance.
- Monitoring team sheets pre-kickoff; a near-full attacking lineup would shift odds noticeably.
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