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2 hours ago
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Antonio Conte is keeping his cards close to his chest when it comes to player selection for Napoli’s upcoming Serie A test against Fiorentina, but has revealed that he has two options in mind to replace the injured Amir Rrahmani, who played in all 38 of the team’s league matches last season.
Serie A action returns this weekend following the September international break, and Napoli will be in action against Fiorentina in Tuscany, before hosting Manchester City in their first Champions League match in two seasons on Thursday.
Conte, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, provided an update on his players’ availability, including star signing Kevin De Bruyne, and new centre-forwards Rasmus Hojlund and Lorenzo Lucca.
Conte on Rrahmani, Lucca, Hojlund, Elmas and De Bruyne
NAPLES, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Antonio Conte, SSC Napoli head coach, reacts during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 30, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
First, though, Conte was asked who is likely to replace Rrahmani, who has been ruled out of the Fiorentina clash after picking up an injury while on international duty. The Kosovo international started in every Serie A match last season, and only came off before the 90th minute on one of those occasions.
“He’s a big absence, he played 38 out of 38 games last year,” Conte said. “He’s a pivotal player in this team, but as I’ve said before, playing every three days, plus internationals, the risk of injury will be much higher.
NAPLES, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Amir Rrahmani of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 30, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“We’ve tried to prepare for this kind of eventuality on the transfer market. Beukema has come in, we’ve also got Marianucci. From tomorrow, there will be an opportunity to see them on the pitch. We need to let them play, and for them to be aware of their new environment.
“Apart from De Bruyne, I’ve always said that the guys we’ve brought in have to be ready to give us a hand in the present, and be certainties for the future as well.”
Conte was also asked on behalf of Fantacalcio managers, whether there might be an opportunity for new signing Lorenzo Lucca to play up front in the absence of Romelu Lukaku, who is not expected to return from injury until the end of November, possibly until December.
“Never mind that,” Conte replied. “We’re already subjected to external pressure, ‘play this guy, play that guy’, it’s already become absurd,” he laughed. “Do you think I listen to those who play fantasy football?”
Conte was then asked about the condition of new signings Hojlund and Eljif Elmas, who came in right at the end of the summer transfer window.
Napoli announce Rasmus Hojlund
“They’ve also been involved with their national teams,” Conte replied. “So I’ve seen them doing well, players who are ready to play. It’s inevitable that the more time we have to work together, the more improvements there will be, but we need them immediately.”
There were also questions about Alessandro Buongiorno, who did not go away with the Italy national team in September, despite featuring in Napoli’s last Serie A match before the international break.
NAPLES, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Alessandro Buongiorno of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 30, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“Alessandro had an operation in the summer. He had recovered, I sent him on the pitch against Cagliari, He worked for two weeks and now he is ready to play.
“He’s been off the pitch for quite a while, he hasn’t started for a long time, but these are all unknown that have to be factored in, and faced head-on, because a new cycle of matches is beginning, and there will be a lot of them.”
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