Napoli’s title defense is facing a significant setback after Romelu Lukaku suffered a serious thigh injury during a pre-season friendly match against Olympiacos. The Belgian striker, who was instrumental in Napoli’s fourth league title win last season with 14 goals and 10 assists, is expected to miss the start of the season. Napoli confirmed that Lukaku has a “serious” tear in his left thigh and will undergo a surgical consultation to determine the best course of treatment.
The injury occurred when Lukaku went down after taking a shot and limped off the pitch with a high-grade injury to his left thigh. Napoli stated that Lukaku has already begun rehabilitation and will undergo further evaluation. Although the club hasn’t provided a specific timeline for his return, Italian media reports suggest he could be out of action until November, which would mean he’ll miss several crucial matches.
Lukaku’s absence will be deeply felt by Napoli, particularly in their opening fixture against promoted Sassuolo. Coach Antonio Conte will have to rely on other attacking options to fill the void left by the experienced striker. Lukaku’s injury is a significant blow to Napoli’s title aspirations, and the team will need to regroup and find ways to compensate for his absence.
