Napoli to receive Buongiorno boost against Lazio after injury recovery | OneFootball

Alessandro Buongiorno is set to make his long-awaited return to Napoli’s starting XI on Saturday, providing coach Antonio Conte with an important boost at a delicate time as the team grapples with an ongoing injury crisis.

Romelu Lukaku of Belgium (L) and Alessandro Buongiorno of Italy (R) in action during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Belgium and Italy in Brussels, Belgium, 14 November 2024. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER MATTHYS

The Partenopei recently lost David Neres, who is expected to remain sidelined for at least three to four weeks due to a muscular injury. The Brazilian joins Matias Olivera and Leonardo Spinazzola on the treatment table, further intensifying the physical troubles that have plagued Napoli’s left flank, leaving Conte with fewer options in that area.

Buongiorno to make starting XI return for Napoli in Lazio match

However, Buongiorno will give the Italian tactician a reason to smile as Corriere dello Sport reports that he feels ready to start in a crucial game against fourth-placed Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico, after remaining on the bench for the full 90 minutes during his side’s recent clashes against Roma and Udinese.

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 10: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale controls the ball under pressure from Alessandro Buongiorno of Napoli during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 10, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The 25-year-old sustained a vertebrae injury in December and has since missed a total of eight Serie A games, which saw Napoli pick up six consecutive wins before drawing two in a row.

Antonio Conte’s side conceded eight goals from 15 games with the former Torino defender on the pitch, leaking nine goals in as many matches played without Buongiorno.