Napoli have been dealt a significant blow with the confirmation of an injury to Brazilian winger David Neres. The player sustained the injury during the 1-1 draw against Udinese, a match in which coach Antonio Conte was forced to replace him with Noah Okafor. Subsequent medical examinations revealed a muscle lesion in the semimembranosus of his left thigh, sidelining Neres for an estimated month.
Details of the Injury
The club officially announced that Neres experienced muscular discomfort late in the match against Udinese. Tests conducted at the Pineta Grande Hospital confirmed a distractive lesion, with recovery time depending on the severity. However, it is expected that he will be out for at least 15 days, with a full month being more likely.
Impact on Napoli’s Squad and Fixtures
This injury comes at a critical time for Napoli, as they face a challenging schedule in the coming weeks. Without an adequate replacement for Neres following the transfer window, Conte must rely on alternatives like Okafor, who has yet to prove fully match-ready. Key fixtures include a clash against Lazio on February 15, an away game at Como on February 23, and a pivotal showdown with Inter Milan on March 2. The latter is particularly significant as it could shape the Serie A title race. Neres is also likely to miss the home game against Fiorentina, with his return potentially slated for March 16 against Venezia.
A Tight Title Race
Napoli’s lead at the top of Serie A has already been reduced to just one point following their draw with Udinese and Inter Milan’s recent victory over Fiorentina. The absence of Neres adds pressure to Conte’s squad as they navigate this critical phase of the season.
