Napoli are going through one of the toughest starts to a season they could imagine. Their new coach, Antonio Conte, is already facing a mountain of problems, especially with injuries. Before their big Champions League match against Sporting Lisbon, Conte even joked in a press conference that maybe the reporters in the room could give him ideas on how to solve Napoli’s defensive crisis.
It might sound funny, but the situation is no joke at all. Napoli are missing so many players that Antonio Conte has had to dig deep into the squad, give debuts to youngsters, and even think about moving midfielders into defensive roles. For a team that won the Serie A title just two seasons ago, things feel very different now.
Napoli’s Growing List of Injuries
On Sunday, Napoli lost 2-1 away to AC Milan in Serie A. That was already a tough match, but Antonio Conte had to play without some of his most trusted defenders. Alessandro Buongiorno, Amir Rrahmani, Leonardo Spinazzola, and Mathias Olivera were all missing. That left huge gaps in the back line.
Antonio Conte had to give debuts to Miguel Gutiérrez, a new arrival, and Luca Marianucci, a youngster. Imagine being a teenager and suddenly having to play against a big team like AC Milan at the San Siro! That’s the kind of pressure Conte had to put on his players because of all the missing stars.
The bad news doesn’t stop there. Marianucci, who made his first appearance against Milan, was not even registered in Napoli’s Champions League squad. That means he won’t be available for the important game against Sporting.
Antonio Conte summed it up in his press conference:
“It’s inevitable that when problems arise in one sector, managing everything becomes more difficult. That’s what happened to us.”
He explained how Rrahmani got hurt while playing for his national team, and with Buongiorno also sidelined, Napoli are missing both of their top central defenders. To make matters worse, Spinazzola and Olivera are still not fully ready. They trained individually on Monday, but Antonio Conte admitted the team will try to “recover them in every possible way” because the situation is a serious emergency.
No Captain Either – Di Lorenzo Suspended
As if the injuries weren’t enough, Napoli will also have to play without their captain and leader, Giovanni Di Lorenzo. The Italian right back received a red card in their first Champions League game, a 2-0 loss to Manchester City. That suspension now keeps him out of this week’s game too.
Losing a captain is always a big deal in soccer. Think about when Lionel Messi was suspended at Barcelona or when Sergio Ramos used to miss games for Real Madrid — the whole team often felt weaker without that leadership on the field. For Napoli, Di Lorenzo isn’t just a defender; he’s their organizer, their voice, and often the first player to push forward when the team attacks.
Antonio Conte: “If You Have Ideas, Tell Me Now”
During the press conference, reporters asked Antonio Conte if he would consider changing Napoli’s system or formation. Normally, Antonio Conte loves playing with three defenders at the back. That was his trademark style at Juventus, Chelsea, and Inter Milan. But the problem now is simple: he doesn’t even have three healthy central defenders to try it.
Antonio Conte half-joked with the media:
“If you have any ideas, give them to me now, not later, because it’s always easier afterwards.”
He also admitted they might have to do something unusual, like play Eljif Elmas, who is actually a midfielder, as a full back. Coaches don’t normally like to play players out of position, but when injuries pile up, sometimes you don’t have a choice. For example, Pep Guardiola once used midfielder Fernandinho as a central defender at Manchester City when the squad was short on defenders.
Antonio Conte finished his answer by saying:
“If we have to take a risk, we’ll take it.”
That shows he knows this Champions League game is too important to be conservative.
The Challenge: Facing Sporting
Napoli’s opponent this week is Sporting Lisbon, a team from Portugal with a proud European history. Sporting already started their Champions League campaign with a big 4-1 win over Kairat Almaty. That result means Sporting come into this match full of confidence.
Portuguese clubs like Sporting are famous for producing great young talent. Cristiano Ronaldo, for example, began his career at Sporting before moving to Manchester United. More recently, players like Bruno Fernandes (now Manchester United’s captain) also came through their system. That means Napoli will be facing a team that not only has talent but also energy and confidence.
Antonio Conte’s Warning: This Season Will Be Tougher
Antonio Conte also reminded everyone that this season is different from last year. Napoli didn’t have to deal with European football in 2023/24. That meant fewer matches, less travel, and more time for players to rest and recover. This year, with the Champions League added to their schedule, the calendar is much heavier.
Antonio Conte explained it like this:
“This year we’re going to face a very complex, very difficult journey.”
He added that he had already warned people that tough times were coming, and now they can see it for themselves. He ended with a line that sounded like a mix of humor and frustration:
“Maybe that fool actually said something worth listening to, and it was underestimated.”
Soccer Fact Break: Injuries Can Change Everything
Injuries are one of the biggest factors in soccer. A single injury can change the direction of a season. For example:
In the 2022/23 season, Liverpool struggled after many of their midfielders got injured.
In 2016, Leicester City stayed remarkably healthy, and that helped them win the Premier League in one of the most shocking upsets in sports history.
Italy missed out on the 2010 World Cup knockout stages partly because their star goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon got injured in the first game.
For Napoli, the timing of these injuries couldn’t be worse. The Champions League group stage is short and unforgiving. Drop too many points early, and you might not make it to the knockout rounds.
Soccer News Combo: Napoli’s Season at a Crossroads
Napoli are still near the top of Serie A, but losing to AC Milan was a reminder that defending the Scudetto is going to be tough. Inter Milan and Juventus both look strong this season, while AC Milan have also improved after signing several new players.
On the European stage, Napoli’s group is dangerous. Along with Manchester City and Sporting, they also face Kairat Almaty, a team that may be weaker on paper but can surprise opponents who take them lightly. If Napoli can’t solve their defensive issues soon, even the “easier” games could become dangerous.
What Comes Next
For Antonio Conte, the most important thing is getting players back as soon as possible. Spinazzola and Olivera could be close to returning, but until then, he may have to keep experimenting. The idea of using Elmas in defense shows just how desperate the situation has become.
Still, Antonio Conte is famous for being a problem solver. At Chelsea, he took a struggling team and turned them into Premier League champions in his first season. At Inter Milan, he broke Juventus’ long streak of titles and won Serie A. Napoli fans will hope that same determination and creativity can get them through this difficult spell.
Final Word
Napoli’s current story is a reminder of how quickly things can change in soccer. One season you’re celebrating a league title, and the next you’re scrambling to find enough defenders for a Champions League game. Antonio Antonio Conte knows this reality well, and while he joked about asking reporters for help, the truth is that Napoli need quick solutions on the field.
If Napoli can survive this crisis, they’ll come out stronger. But for now, all eyes are on Wednesday night at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, where Antonio Conte’s patched-up side must take on a confident Sporting Lisbon.
