Napoli Vs Chelsea Preview: Lukaku Returns As Injuries Threaten Champions League Hopes

‎Napoli are teetering on the edge of Champions League elimination as they prepare to face Chelsea on Wednesday, struggling with a serious injury crisis and a shaky Serie A title defence.

‎After a disappointing 1-1 draw at FC Copenhagen last week, the Italian side sits just inside the elimination zone with eight points from seven matches.

‎A win against Chelsea is crucial if Napoli hopes to reach next month’s play-offs.

‎That will be no easy task with the Blues, Antonio Conte’s former club, needing a win to stay in the top eight and bag direct qualification for the last 16.

‎Napoli enters the game still reeling from a 3-0 defeat at Juventus, leaving them nine points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

‎Sunday’s loss in Turin was a harsh setback for Napoli and Juve icon Conte, who nonetheless praised his players for their resilience amid a string of injuries.

‎”Before today the last match we’d lost was against Udinese (on December 14). We even won the Italian Super Cup in an emergency, an emergency which has got even worse,” Conte told DAZN on Sunday.

‎”The boys need big support from the fans… We’re going through a difficult period and I expect the fans to get behind the team.”

‎Napoli Team news

‎Conte’s attempt to become the first Napoli coach to win consecutive Serie A titles has been undermined by injuries in his squad from the very start of the season.

‎It began with Romelu Lukaku, who suffered a hamstring injury in pre-season and didn’t return to action until the 79th minute of Sunday’s defeat.

‎Lukaku replaced academy graduate Antonio Vergara who played in place of Italy international Matteo Politano, while new signing Giovane made his debut as a substitute, with Conte later saying he hadn’t even seen him train.

‎Conte has also been without goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, sidelined by a hamstring injury, while winger David Neres flew to London for ankle surgery on Monday, likely ruling him out until April.

‎Kevin De Bruyne has been out since October and won’t return until the spring following surgery on his right hamstring. Midfielder Andre-Frank Anguissa, expected back on Sunday from a hamstring injury, was also left out due to back issues.

‎”We know that we’re navigating in open waters with very high waves but we’re not getting off the boat,” said Conte.

‎”We’re still here, made stronger by the fact that we want to keep fighting with all our might even with the absurd situation that we’re in.

‎”These boys are serious, they’re giving everything and I see what they’re doing, what they have to put up with, what they’re risking, because let’s be clear here, they’re jeopardising their physical health.

‎”They’re playing every three days, not training, and the same players have to play high-intensity football because we don’t have any chance to rotate.”

‎The only positive for Conte is Lukaku’s return, as he replaces De Bruyne in Napoli’s European squad, giving the Belgian striker a chance to seek redemption against Chelsea after his struggles there four years ago.

‎Last season, 11 points were enough to avoid elimination, so a win would likely see Napoli through.

‎It would also offer much-needed relief to a team under significant strain.