Two More Injury Worries For Napoli Ahead Of Crunch Champions League Tie

In what is definitely a sad news for reigning Serie A champions, Napoli, there has been fresh injury case ahead of crucial game that is coming up for them in the UEFA Champions League, a game that could determine if they stay in Europe’s elite competition or not.

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Following their recent match, a 1-0 win over Sassuolo at the weekend, the club’s injury woes was further compounded as two players joined the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Billy Gilmour, Frank Zambo Anguissa, Alex Meret and David Neres on the treatment table.

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Consequently, the club have confirmed muscle injuries to Matteo Politano and Amir Rrahmani and the duo will remain out of action for at least two weeks after they had suffered injuries during Saturday’s Serie A match at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium.

“Following the injuries they sustained in the match against Sassuolo, Matteo Politano and Amir Rrahmani underwent medical tests at Pineta Grande Hospital. Politano has sustained a strain to the semimembranosus muscle in his right thigh.” Napoli said in a statement.

“Rrahmani has sustained a strain to his left gluteus. Both players have already begun their rehabilitation programmes.” The statement further added. Meanwhile, according to reports from Italy, both players will surely miss the next two games against Copenhagen in the Champions League and Juventus in Serie A.

It might take up to two weeks to see Rrahmani and Politano return to action, even if the Italian could even need a month to recover and these latest injuries add to a long list of Napoli’s absentees especially the Belgian duo of Lukaku and De Bruyne who haven’t had time to plague together at the club.

Lukaku hasn’t yet made a single appearance this season, while De Bruyne has been out of action since October and won’t be available again until March. In a related development, Lorenzo Lucca could be set for a swift exit from Napoli just six months after being signed from fellow Serie A side, Udinese.

According to the report, EPL club, Nottingham Forest are now close to finalising a deal with the Serie A side. The Naples-based club signed the lanky forward last summer on loan with an obligation to buy, but has struggled to establish himself in Antonio Conte’s plans.

Lucca found opportunities limited from early on, a situation that became even more complicated following the arrival of Rasmus Højlund in August, which further reduced his role in the squad and according to multiple reports, the two clubs have moved decisively and have already reached an agreement in principle.

The proposed deal is based on a paid loan with an option to buy, and negotiations are understood to be at an advanced stage, with only final details remaining as the EPL club see Lucca as a profile capable of adding physical presence and depth to their attack.

For Napoli, they’re open to sanctioning the move as part of their January strategy, which requires outgoing transfers before new signings can be completed but the situation is not fully resolved while there are other interested clubs especially in the Serie A who also like the player.

Pisa are said to be monitoring the developments closely and remain interested in bringing Lucca back to Tuscany, but their chances depend entirely on the player’s final decision and he will now weigh up his options before choosing his next destination, with a move away from Naples appearing increasingly likely.

Read Also: The Proposed Serie A Match That Was Set To Take Place Outside Italy Has Been Cancelled

Meanwhile, Napoli will be anxious to wrap up an exit quickly, with the side linked with a move for Fenerbahce striker Youssef En-Nesyri as they’ve already identified the Moroccan as a viable target and will start discussions with his club once he returns from AFCON duties.

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