Napoli, Lukaku blow: Conte loses the key to his tactical plans | OneFootball

Antonio Conte's Napoli must deal with the worst news just a few days before the start of the season: Romelu Lukaku will be forced to take a break of at least four months due to a severe muscle injury.

Napoli, Lukaku blow: Conte loses the linchpin of his tactical project

A very hard blow not only for the player, but for the entire tactical system built by the Salento coach around the Belgian center forward.

An injury that changes plans

Lukaku stopped in the last pre-season friendly against Olympiacos, at Castel di Sangro. The injury came at the worst time: Big Rom had finally completed a full summer preparation at regular rhythms, immediately finding a great understanding with Kevin De Bruyne and appearing in peak physical condition.

The exams have highlighted a high-grade lesion to the rectus femoris of the left thigh. This is the most serious problem of the striker's career, who will have to undergo surgery and embark on a long rehabilitation journey. Napoli, meanwhile, is forced to return to the market in search of a center forward, with sports director Manna who has already started the first contacts.

Lukaku, a fundamental piece for Conte

For Conte, the loss of Lukaku represents much more than a temporary absence. The striker had been identified as the fulcrum of the Azzurri's offensive system: a constant reference in attack actions, capable of playing with his back to the goal, opening spaces for his teammates and finalizing continuously. Without him, the coach will have to redesign his schemes or hope for a reinforcement of the same level.

The words of the physiotherapist: "Romelu always wants to surpass himself, but he needs to be protected"

From Belgium come comforting updates, but also warnings to prudence. Lieven Maesschalck, sports physiotherapist who has been following Lukaku for years, explained to Flemish media how the striker is already thinking about recovery:

"Romelu is a great athlete, used to pushing beyond his own limits. He works a lot on prevention, but there are factors that cannot be controlled. He will be disappointed because he lives for football, but he will do everything to return soon. However, we will have to protect him from himself: he tends to set unrealistic goals. It's in his character."

The rehabilitation process could take place in Belgium, at the Move to Cure center in Antwerp, a facility that Lukaku knows well and that would guarantee him a familiar and motivating environment.

Guaranteed return, but without forcing

Despite the severity of the injury, Maesschalck has expressed absolute confidence:

"He will definitely return to his old level, I have no doubts. The important thing will be to respect the times of nature and not to confuse hope with reality."

The future of Napoli passes from the market

The prolonged absence of Lukaku forces the club to make quick and courageous choices. Less than a week before the start of Serie A, Napoli finds itself without its star and without the tactical linchpin around which Conte had built the new cycle. The market, more than ever, now becomes the only field on which to attempt immediate redemption.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.