Antonio Conte confirms Giovanni Di Lorenzo has in all probability torn his ACL, then lashes out angrily at Napoli administrators, UEFA and extra. ‘We want a much bigger squad, in any other case it’s suicide.’
The Partenopei had been in dire want of a lift after back-to-back defeats in opposition to Juventus in Serie A and Chelsea within the Champions League, the latter sealing their early elimination.
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Antonio Vergara scored his first senior Napoli aim in that midweek tie and this night received his first in Serie A, adopted by Miguel Gutierrez for
Conte confirms season in all probability over for Di Lorenzo
NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 31: Giovanni Di Lorenzo of SSC Napoli injured throughout the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 31, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Picture by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photos)
There was unhealthy information too for Napoli, as captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo was stretchered off in agony after his left knee appeared to hyper-extend, prompting fears of ligament harm.
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“There’s not a lot we are able to say, it’s recreation upon recreation upon recreation, we’ve got to maintain utilizing gamers who should be rested and but can’t, it results in these conditions,”
“I tore my cruciate ligament, I do know it’s a traumatic damage. I proceed to say enjoying all these matches, it kills the gamers and kills soccer.
“Now there are restrictions on who you may have within the squad, and ours is even smaller as a result of we don’t have many gamers from the youth academy, and those we do have need to exit on mortgage to play extra recurrently.
“We pulled Vergara out the hat, then there are age limits, but when we’ve got to play 60 video games per yr, we want a much bigger squad, in any other case it’s suicide.”
NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 31: Albert Gudmundsson of ACF Fiorentina battles for possession with Giovanni Di Lorenzo of SSC Napoli throughout the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 31, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Picture by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photos)
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Di Lorenzo has not had the exams but, however Conte suggests the preliminary suggestions from the medical workers may be very unhealthy certainly.
“The feeling is he’s finished critical harm to his knee and it’s the cruciate ligament. It’s nasty. You realize full nicely what Di Lorenzo means for us.
“Folks say I complain, however we’re doing something however complaining contemplating that is an infinite collection of accidents. They’re unhealthy accidents too, not simply muscular ones for 2-4 weeks out, these are critical.
“We’re managing to plug the holes as a result of these lads are doing extraordinary issues. As soon as once more, there weren’t many choices on the bench.”
NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 31: Miguel Gutierrez of SSC Napoli celebrates together with his head coach Antonio Conte after scoring his aspect second aim throughout the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 31, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Picture by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photos)
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Conte then lashed out on the Napoli hierarchy, however on the soccer calendar basically with the expanded Champions League and Supercoppa Italiana.
“Golf equipment don’t appear to grasp it’s like a canine chasing its personal tail. You battle to qualify for all these tournaments to get extra money, but it surely’s ephemeral, as a result of the extra competitions you might be in, the extra gamers it’s important to purchase, the extra the wage invoice goes up.
“In the event that they don’t perceive that, then soccer will go in a nasty route and results in this type of factor. I don’t simply imply Napoli, I’m talking out basically to defend gamers and it’s a disgrace everybody turns their backs on gamers in favour of the golf equipment, leagues, UEFA, and many others. I say this as an ex-player.”
This can be a workforce already stretched skinny with out Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, David Neres, Matteo Politano, Amir Rrahmani, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne and Billy Gilmour.
NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 31: Miguel Gutierrez of SSC Napoli celebrates together with his head coach Antonio Conte and Juan Jesus after scoring his aspect second aim throughout the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 31, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Picture by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photos)
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When Di Lorenzo was injured, why did Conte introduce Mathias Olivera somewhat than centre-back Sam Beukema?
“I launched Mathias as a result of proper now he offers me extra ensures than Beukema, that’s it,” shrugged the Napoli coach.
“We’re speaking a couple of workforce attempting to do its finest with what we’ve got at our disposal. Happily, we picked up these factors, but when the season had began right this moment and we had this squad, what place do you assume Napoli can be difficult for? Be life like.
“We now have the Coppa Italia, we need to qualify for Europe, but it surely turns into very troublesome, particularly as the opposite golf equipment are bringing in reinforcements, whereas we’re below a switch embargo.
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“That’s simply implausible,” added Conte sarcastically. “We’re the one membership operating at a revenue of €240m and are banned from making transfers.
“Truthfully, I’m actually p***ed off about Di Lorenzo, so it’s finest we wrap this up or I’ll say one thing else and get into bother.”