(Reuters) – Napoli will be facing Monza in Serie A without Victor Osimhen and Matteo Politano, both of whom are suspended. Additionally, manager Walter Mazzarri is dealing with mounting injury concerns as they prepare for the upcoming match.
Both Osimhen and Politano received red cards in last weekend’s 2-0 defeat against AS Roma. Midfielder Stanislav Lobotka sustained an injury in that game, while Jesper Lindstrom missed the match due to an injury as well. Both players are doubtful for the Monza game.
“We’re in quite an emergency, I’ve even made a list,” Mazzarri said during a press conference on Thursday. “Lobotka is a first choice, if he’s fit he will play. If he doesn’t make it I have great confidence in (Jens) Cajuste, who will become very strong.”
“Lindstrom, even if he’s fit, doesn’t have ninety minutes in him, and so will either start or come on from the bench.”
Brazilian defender Natan remained on the pitch despite suffering a shoulder injury during the Roma game. Mazzarri confirmed that he is expected to be out for a month and a half. The manager also announced an injury to Diego Demme and mentioned that he is not expecting too much from the upcoming transfer window, despite the recent signing of Eljif Elmas from Red Bull Leipzig.
“I’m not expecting a revolution because you don’t and can’t do it in January,” Mazzarri said. “You know very well that I prefer the club to talk about the market, I want to help the players regain the confidence of last year.”
With both Osimhen and Politano suspended, Mazzarri will have to choose between Giovanni Simeone or Giacomo Raspadori for the upcoming game with Monza.
“Making them play together would mean making a big change to the formation and in any case you need to have a striker on the bench,” Mazzarri said. “We’ll see who will start and who will come on during the game.”
Since Osimhen returned from a hamstring injury, he has only scored once in five league games. His sending off against Roma marked a disappointing end to his time with Napoli before joining the national team for the African Cup of Nations finals in January.
“Since he came back, he has been battered even when the ball is far away,” Mazzarri said. “Maybe he felt the responsibility after such a great campaign last season, it can happen to make mistakes when nervous. Unfortunately he was back from injury and now there’s the African Cup of Nations. I forgive him, not because I’m a good guy but because he needs to be protected.”
Napoli is currently seventh in the standings with 27 points, just one point behind Roma in sixth place, while Monza sits at 11th place with 21 points. This article was reported by Trevor Stynes and edited by Pritha Sarkar.
