Napoli has lost another left-back to injury, Mathias Olivera, but they remain unlikely to turn to the free-agent pool to replenish the position. They had thought about it after Mario Rui went down, ultimately opting against it. That will be the case again, Radio Marte reports (via OneFootball).
The Uruguayan international was stretchered off during the recent Atalanta game. He has been diagnosed with a second-grade MCL sprain. He should be out for six-to-eight weeks. The defender won’t need surgery at this stage.
Napoli deployed Juan Jesus when Olivera got hurt. He’s next in line, as he had already taken care of the role in the past, even though he’s not as offensive-minded as his teammates. Rui should return in about a month as he’s nursing a serious thigh strain.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo will also be deployed there if needed, allowing youngster Alessandro Zanoli to get some game-time since the Azzurri staple has played basically every minute so far.
Our Take on Napoli and Olivera
When it rains, it pours. Rather than signing somebody who has been out of contract for months and understandably in poor shape, they could hold on for a month and make a signing early in the transfer market window. They should acquire a veteran fullback who could feature on both flanks and loan out Zanoli. The first half of the season has stunted his growth.
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