Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret has suffered a setback that will keep him out of action for the foreseeable future. The Italian shot-stopper underwent medical examinations at Pineta Grande Hospital, which revealed a second-degree strain to the adductor longus muscle in his left thigh. The club has announced that Meret has already begun his rehabilitation process.
Pazzi di Fanta report how the injury occurred during Saturday’s match against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium. Napoli’s medical staff is closely monitoring Meret’s condition to determine the best course of action for a safe and timely return to the pitch. Initial estimates suggest he could be sidelined for at least a month.
This absence is a significant blow for Antonio Conte’s squad, as Meret has been a crucial player in the early stages of the season. The club has confirmed that he will not be available for Napoli’s upcoming fixtures.
Meret experienced discomfort in his left thigh adductor muscle around the 35th minute of the goalless draw against Juventus. Former Empoli goalkeeper Elia Caprile replaced him for the remainder of the match.
For now, Caprile is expected to be Meret’s primary replacement. The squad also includes 28-year-old Nikita Contini, though he saw minimal playing time last season with only 16 minutes on the field.
Conte will need to adapt his strategy without Meret for the next month. After a disappointing 3-0 loss to Verona in their first league match, Napoli had bounced back with three wins and a draw in their subsequent four games. Meret’s performances were instrumental in these positive results, making crucial saves that often turned the tide in Napoli’s favor.
The former Juventus and Inter Milan coach now faces the challenge of integrating Caprile into the team’s dynamics, ensuring he has the confidence of both the manager and his teammates. Napoli’s upcoming schedule includes a Coppa Italia match against Palermo on September 26, followed by league fixtures against Monza, Como, Empoli, Lecce, and Milan in the coming weeks.
