Napoli cannot catch a break this season. The negative trend continues after Poland sent their standout midfielder, Piotr Zielinski, home to treat flu symptoms. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Eagles boss, Michal Probierz, recognized the problem and withdrew the Partenopei star from the national team camp.
Zielinski reported to international duty earlier this week as Poland fought for their lives amid a dreadful Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. However, the Napoli ace failed to take the field as his side slumped to a 1-1 home draw against the Czech Republic, effectively relinquishing their qualification hopes.
After being left on the bench, Zielinski will return to Italy to continue his recovery. Probierz realized there was no point risking the 29-year-old in the upcoming international friendly against Latvia, considering the nation’s bid to book tickets to next summer’s tournament in Germany is now dead in the water.
Despite summer frictions between Zielinski and Napoli, the Pole has been a permanent first-team fixture at the start of the new campaign. His decent performances under axed boss Rudi Garcia have convinced the reigning Serie A champions to reopen contract talks amid growing interest from foreign clubs.
Zielinski should recover in time for Walter Mazzarri’s second touchline debut for Napoli when they meet Atalanta in Bergamo next week. Mazzarri faces a mammoth task of reinvigorating the fallen southern giants after they headed into the international break a whopping ten points adrift of Serie A pacesetters Inter.
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