Yahoo Sports Bad News For Napoli – Key Midfielder Not Fit To Start Top-Of-Table Serie A Clash Vs Inter Milan
Midfielder Stanislav Lobotka won’t likely be fit enough to be in the starting eleven for Napoli against Inter Milan tomorrow.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
Lobotka has been Napoli’s most notable absentee during recent matches.
The former Celta Vigo midfielder has been out since the international break last month. He suffered a muscle problem during the break and has not been rushing back while he’s recovered.
Lobotka is a vital player for Napoli.
The Slovakian international was one of the Partenopei’s key men as they won the Serie A title under Luciano Spalletti.
And after a tough campaign last time out for Napoli as a whole, Lobotka has once again found his best form since the arrival of Antonio Conte as coach.
Lobotka has played in the holding midfield role. He is the player who sets the tempo in possession for Napoli, whilst he is also an important defensive presence screening the backline.
Stanislav Lobotka Not Fit To Start For Napoli Vs Inter
With Lobotka out, Conte has opted for other solutions in midfield.
Most notably, former Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour has gotten a run of matches in the holding midfield role.
Meanwhile, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has kept his starting spot.
And Scott McTominay – a summer signing from the Premier League like Gilmour – has also been a regular in the Napoli midfield.
The trio of Gilmour, Anguissa, and McTominay started Napoli’s 0-3 Serie A defeat against Atalanta last weekend.
That was a result which perhaps underlined the significance of Lobotka’s absence.
The good news for Napoli is that Lobotka has fully recovered from his injury. There is no doubt that the Slovakian will be part of the squad for tomorrow’s top-of-the-table clash with Inter.
But according to the Gazzetta, there are still big doubts about Lobotka’s readiness to start.
The 29-year-old is just coming back. Therefore, a bit of rust in his form will likely keep him out of the starting lineup.
