Alex Meret will miss multiple matches due to a significant back problem. The goalkeeper underwent some tests in Coverciano, which revealed a fracture of the transverse process between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebra. He will head back to Naples Friday, where also the team doctors will assess the situation.
The timetable for his return is uncertain. He will likely be out for three-to-four weeks, Corriere dello Sport and La Gazzetta dello Sport inform. He will certainly sit out the Juventus game and the following one versus Leicester City.
After a year alternating with David Ospina, Meret played in both the first two matches. He fared well in the opener against Venezia, while he looked more uncertain versus Genoa. He likely got hurt in the collision with Alexander Buksa, which the VAR deemed to be a foul, disallowing the ensuing goal of the opponents.
Ospina will get the chance to return between the sticks against the Bianconeri. The club is considering asking his national team to send him back early. Otherwise, he would play Friday at 2 am against Chile. The Colombian specialist, who lost a strong supporter in Gennaro Gattuso, appeared to be on his way out this summer once Luciano Spalletti and the management anointed his teammate as the starter.
Napoli do not consider the injury to Meret too serious and will not sign a free agent, Rai relays. The Partenopei changed their third-stringer during the summer. Nikita Contini moved to Crotone, and they brought in Primavera product Davide Marfella from Bari, their satellite team.