News Focus
- Four Napoli players will miss the final league match against Udinese due to fresh injuries
- Alisson Santos left the pitch in tears with a suspected serious hamstring strain
- Stanislav Lobotka suffered a calf problem after just 36 minutes of the previous game
- Leonardo Spinazzola and Alessandro Buongiorno both picked up knee injuries in training
- Antonio Conte has secured Champions League qualification despite the constant fitness setbacks
Napoli conclude their Serie A campaign tonight struggling with the same injury problems that have troubled them throughout the season. The Partenopei host Udinese at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for their final fixture, but head coach Antonio Conte must manage without four important squad members.
The Italian manager has repeatedly praised his players for securing a top-four finish and Champions League qualification despite constant fitness setbacks. These issues began during pre-season when striker Romelu Lukaku tore a thigh muscle, and the crisis has continued right up to the final whistle.
Brazilian defender Alisson Santos departed the field in tears during the previous match to a standing ovation from supporters. Medical staff fear he has suffered a serious hamstring or flexor strain, which could disrupt his pre-season preparations for next term.
Slovakia international Stanislav Lobotka then suffered a similar fate in the same fixture. The midfielder required treatment for a suspected calf injury after only 36 minutes of play.
The situation worsened when Leonardo Spinazzola and Alessandro Buongiorno were excluded from the matchday squad. Club officials later confirmed both defenders had sustained minor knee injuries during training sessions, prompting medical staff to rule them out as a precaution for this final clash.