Napoli-Juventus: Conte without midfielders, here’s who will play

Antonio Conte no longer knows what being spoiled for choice is. Especially in midfield, where he lost another element. Let’s first list who will be available for the match against Juventus. There are only three names: McTominay, Elmas, Vergara. The first two are the most plausible starters, considering Vergara’s limited experience. McTominay would have been immovable in any case, Elmas will be adapted from midfielder out of necessity. The coach has already used him for some parts of the match in that position, again due to an emergency, and the Macedonian is not displeased. Conte appreciated both his performance and his availability, in a position that is not his. Vergara stood out positively in the Italian Cup match against Cagliari, also providing the assist for Lucca’s goal, but it is unlikely that he will start from the first minute against Juventus, also because he has more markedly offensive skills. So far he has racked up 76 minutes of use, including 74 in yesterday’s match. Not much longer, to give him such an important chance.

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As regards the set-up, Conte will inevitably be forced to propose the 3-4-3, which is the formation with the fewest central midfielders. Beukema, Rrahmani and Buongiorno will line up in front of Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo and Olivera will play wide, with Elmas and McTominay in the middle. Hojlund will lead the trident with Neres and Lang at his sides.

injured

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Lobotka has started the rehabilitation process, the injury at least for now does not seem to be serious and Napoli’s hope is to recover him for the Champions League match against Benfica. Also absent from midfield are Anguissa and De Bruyne, who are recovering from serious muscle injuries, and Gilmour who instead underwent surgery in London to resolve his pubalgia problems. Gutierrez is recovering from a sprained ankle, Meret – who broke the second metatarsal of his right foot in October – will return by the end of the month. For Lukaku, however, it is only a matter of a few days, a couple of weeks at most.