Hirving Lozano was fuming after the substitution in the Torino game. The winger entered the match in the second half for Matteo Politano. But he was replaced in the final minutes to switch to a three-man defense. The attacker badmouthed Luciano Spalletti from afar and went directly into the locker room. Lorenzo Insigne had openly invited him to stay on the bench.
After the fixture, the coach stated he could make any change he pleased. According to Corriere dello Sport, the two hashed things out at the club’s facilities Monday. The case was resolved with no further drama. Lozano will get the nod in Thursday’s key Europa League clash with Legia Warsaw. Spalletti is plotting multiple tweaks to manage the energies. Napoli will face Roma Sunday, where they will be gunning for the ninth win in a row.
The manager could modify as many as seven elements, the publication reports. The only center-pieces staying in the XI could be Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Lorenzo Insigne, and Fabian Ruiz. Victor Osimhen and André-Franck Zambo Anguissa are due for a breather. Piotr Zielinski picked up a minor muscular injury, and Spalletti will be careful with him.
Kostas Manolas has recovered from an ankle sprain that cost him the last game. Alex Meret is likely to be between the sticks midweek. David Ospina has leapfrogged him in the hierarchy. The Colombian started Sunday despite the late return from international duties. With Kevin Malcuit on the mend, youngster Alessandro Zanoli could man the left-back position, although Juan Jesus is in the running too.