Report reveals player favoured to replace injured Neres in Napoli’s attack

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Alessandro Bai | Last updated Feb 12, 2025 8:05 AM ET

David Neres’ injury is expected to keep the Brazilian sidelined for at least a few weeks, forcing Napoli coach Antonio Conte to look for alternative options in his attack.

Adapting full-backs such as Leonardo Spinazzola or Pasquale Mazzocchi to a more advanced role would risk hindering the Partenopei’s offensive potential, which is why the Italian boss is reportedly weighing up different solutions, including tweaking his side’s system.

Conte’s preferred Napoli candidate to replace injured Neres revealed

According to Il Mattino, Giacomo Raspadori is Conte’s preferred candidate to replace Neres up front, but the Italian striker’s inclusion in the line-up could imply a switch to a 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2 formation to avoid playing him too wide in the current 4-3-3 system.

Raspadori could make his first Serie A start for Napoli since August when the Partenopei face Lazio next weekend, with the former Sassuolo forward being urged to deliver in a crucial match against a side that has already defeated them twice this season.

The Italian paper explains that, as things stand, Conte does not consider Noah Okafor and Cyril Ngonge viable alternatives.

The 24-year-old has scored a single goal this season in 13 Serie A appearances, coming on late to net the winner against Venezia in late December.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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