Napoli director Giovanni Manna explains Romelu Lukaku will face ‘penalties’ for his refusal to return from Belgium, however has religion in Giovane in tonight’s massive match with Milan.
It kicks off on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).
NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 07: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli celebrates scoring his crew’s second objective throughout the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Juventus FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 07, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photos)
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Whoever wins shall be able to problem leaders Inter going into the ultimate seven rounds of the season, as just one level separates Napoli in third from Milan in second going into this conflict.
Manna outlines Napoli place on Lukaku
“It is a crucial match, we need to give a way of consistency to our optimistic interval of kind, and definitely need to consolidate our place in entrance of our followers,”
“These are two sturdy groups, they’re well-drilled, shut collectively within the desk. It’ll be an extended and difficult match.”
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There was a shocking twist within the build-up to this match, as a result of stories emerged this afternoon that Rasmus Hojlund was scuffling with a abdomen bug, and he isn’t even match for the bench.
Lukaku, David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani and Antonio Vergara are additionally nonetheless out of motion, although Kevin De Bruyne, Scott McTominay and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa appear to be getting again to full health after lengthy lay-offs, so Giovane is the makeshift centre-forward.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Nico Paz of Como 1907 battles for possession with Giovane of SSC Napoli throughout the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photos)
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“We signed Giovane as a result of we would have liked an attacking participant. Centre-forward isn’t his greatest position, however he can play there, he’s humble, skilled, works onerous, and that tends to repay.
“He earned this chance, the coach had no doubts, so we’ve full religion in him.”
Lukaku faces disciplinary motion after , preferring to hunt therapy in Belgium reasonably than with the Napoli medical workers.
VERONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli and Unai Núñez of Hellas Verona throughout the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on February 28, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photos)
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“The state of affairs may be very clear to me. Romelu went to Belgium for worldwide responsibility, he had a small damage setback and most well-liked to stay there to coach, towards what we had requested. No one would’ve stopped him from working along with his medical doctors, however we had needed to speak it over in Naples, and it didn’t occur. We aren’t joyful about that.
“The integrity, respect and worth of the group is above all else. Speaking about this now’s superfluous, as a result of Romelu will not be right here, he’s working in Belgium, I feel and hope he’ll return in per week’s time.
“He is aware of there shall be penalties, however we maintain going, Giovane performs at the moment, and so we’re joyful about that.”
Milan gained when these groups met at San Siro in September, however Napoli replied with a 2-0 victory within the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final in December.
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“We expanded the squad exactly for these points, and if we hadn’t achieved that, then we wouldn’t be there competing for our predominant goal, which is a Champions League spot,” added Manna.
“We at all times fought this season to cope with accidents, however we’re right here, we need to give extra pleasure to our followers this night.”