Napoli director Giovanni Manna insists they need to stay ‘constructive’ throughout an damage disaster after Champions League setbacks, however calls for ‘extra dedication’ from Lorenzo Lucca.
It kicks off on the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine at 14.00 GMT.
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LISBON, PORTUGAL – DECEMBER 10: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli, appears to be like on from the dug out previous to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD6 match between SL Benfica and SSC Napoli at on December 10, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Picture by Gualter Fatia/Getty Photos)
The Partenopei are flying excessive in Serie A on the high of the desk alongside AC Milan, however the lack of choices for squad rotation are beginning to take their toll.
They seemed exhausted within the midweek Champions League defeat to Benfica, which left them scrambling simply to safe a spot within the play-offs.
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Napoli working out of steam
“Fairly merely, we’re enjoying with the identical figures repeatedly, as a result of there are few options, it turns into troublesome to rotate,”
“We proved that we have been superior over our opponents with a collection of head-to-head wins, it could actually occur that you simply really feel fatigued and if you’re not at 100 per cent within the Champions League, you’ll battle.
“There are various matches, we hope to get as many gamers again as attainable. It’s a powerful recreation immediately, a really bodily one, so we should be constructive.”
The damage record simply retains rising, as Juan Jesus has joined Billy Gilmour, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne, Alex Meret and Romelu Lukaku on the therapy desk.
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A minimum of Stanislav Lobotka and Miguel Gutierrez are again for a spot on the bench, whereas the one change to the beginning XI is Leonardo Spinazzola.
LISBON, PORTUGAL – DECEMBER 10: Richard Rios of Benfica runs with the ball beneath strain from Eljif Elmas of SSC Napoli throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD6 match between SL Benfica and SSC Napoli at on December 10, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Picture by Gualter Fatia/Getty Photos)
Is there a motive why Napoli give their greatest in Serie A and but are struggling so badly within the Champions League?
“If I analyse the Champions League video games, the one one we bought actually badly incorrect was in Eindhoven,” insisted Manna of that 6-1 loss.
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“We have been all the way down to 10 males with Manchester Metropolis for over an hour, we deserved extra in opposition to Eintracht, we beat Qarabag and Sporting. Our vitality ranges have been depleted in opposition to Benfica, however we nonetheless created scoring alternatives.
“I stay very constructive, I really feel the work that the coach and gamers are doing is obvious for all to see. Now we’ve bought to maintain centered and attempt to convey house the factors.”
LECCE, ITALY – OCTOBER 28: Tiago Gabriel of US Lecce competes for the ball with Lorenzo Lucca of SSC Napoli throughout the Serie A match between US Lecce and SSC Napoli at Stadio By way of del Mare on October 28, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Picture by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Photos)
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Regardless of the damage disaster, ex-Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca can barely get on the pitch, as Rasmus Hojlund is the primary selection centre-forward.
There have additionally been reviews that Napoli may attempt to signal Udinese midfielder Arthur Atta, though he’s out of motion immediately.
“I’m hardly the primary to note Atta’s expertise and everybody is aware of he’s destined for an amazing profession,” replied the Napoli director when pushed on this participant.
“Other than the switch gossip, he’s a participant past our vary proper now. Udinese at all times had an amazing scouting community to seek out gifted younger gamers with huge prospects.
“As for Lucca, he wants to hurry up the method of settling in and present extra dedication on the sphere. We’re satisfied he has the proper traits to play for Napoli, however he should perceive it is a totally different membership to Udinese, he wants to point out dedication each single day in coaching and on the pitch.”