Napoli coach Conte proves he has no faith in Gilmour, Raspadori or Rafa Marin | OneFootball

Antonio Conte’s comments about needing Stanislav Lobotka despite an ankle injury confirm the biggest concern for Napoli players like Billy Gilmour, Giacomo Raspadori and Rafa Marin.

The Partenopei host Genoa at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CET).

It could be another decisive step towards the Scudetto, having already opened up a three-point lead over Inter with three rounds to play.

Stanislav Lobotka Napoli (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Lobotka is struggling with an ankle injury and returned to training, so Conte confessed in a press conference he would gladly use the Slovakian even when half-fit.

“He is an important player in our system, he also has experience and maturity, so I certainly would prefer not to be without him.”

Conte desperation to play Lobotka shows lack of Napoli faith

epa11885064 Napoli’s head coach Antonio Conte reacts before the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs Udinese Calcio at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, 09 February 2025. EPA-EFE/CESARE ABBATE

The alternative is to use Gilmour or even Philip Billing in the middle of the park, but these are options that Conte has shown time and time again this season he will look to only through a lack of other options.

It does not bode well for a side that will be in the Champions League next term, because Conte resists squad rotation to a remarkable degree.

Gilmour cost €14m plus another €5m in add-ons to purchase from Brighton and Hove Albion, arriving on transfer deadline day after months of Conte complaints.

The Scotland international has made 23 Serie A appearances, contributing one assist, but only 11 of those were starts.

Raspadori made a big impact off the bench in recent matches, yet despite his five Serie A goals and one assist, the former Sassuolo striker was given a pitiful eight starts out of 23 appearances.

NAPLES, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 26: Rafa Marin of SSC Napoli battles for possession with Matteo Brunori of Palermo during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Palermo at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 26, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Rafa Marin is the ultimate example of Conte’s refusal to look past the ideal XI, as so much was made of the 22-year-old’s arrival from Real Madrid.

It was a move worth €12m, with options for the Merengues to buy him back at €25m in 2026 and €35m in 2027, even provisions to pay an extra €10m to increase that clause to €50m.

None of that seems remotely plausible considering Marin was used as a desperate last resort by Conte, preferring to move left-back Matias Olivera to central defence during an injury crisis rather than dare call on the Spaniard.

Marin made his Serie A debut for five minutes in the 2-2 draw with Lazio on February 15, coming off the bench on another two occasions.

His one and only start was away to rock bottom Monza on April 19.

No matter what Conte might say, the fact Napoli were free to focus only on Serie A this season is what gave them the edge in the Scudetto race, while Inter chase their Champions League dream.

Now he’ll find himself with a tried and trusted starting XI, but everyone else goes into the next term knowing full well the coach has very little faith in them.