Fullback Alessandro Zanoli will be out for Napoli in this evening’s Serie A match against Inter Milan.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. The newspaper note that there are just five senior defenders available for the match, and anticipate Natan will start at left-back.
Veteran coach Walter Mazzarri has had a somewhat mixed start to his second stint in charge of Napoli.
The ex-Inter, Cagliari, Torino, and Watford coach got off to a strong start. He guided the Partenopei to a 2-1 victory away to Atalanta in his first match after replacing Rudi Garcia.
Then during the week, Napoli fell to a 4-2 defeat away to Real Madrid in the Champions League.
This evening Mazzarri takes charge of his first Napoli match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in right around a decade.
The Partenopei take on Inter in what will surely be one of their toughest tests.
And as the Gazzetta notes, an injury crisis in defense makes life even more difficult for Mazzarri.
Alessandro Zanoli Out For Napoli Vs Inter – Defensive Injury Crisis Mounts
The biggest problem for Mazzarri is the absence of a specialist leftback available.
Both Mario Rui and Mathias Oliveira are currently out with injury.
That will mean that the Napoli coach must go with a centre-back deputizing in the role.
The Gazzetta report that it will be Natan who plays on the left of Napoli’s back four.
The Brazilian joined the Partenopei from Red Bull Bragantino during the summer.
And Natan is the favourite to start ahead of Juan Jesus. However, the veteran former Inter and Roma defender is also versatile enough to play there.
In the centre of defense, Leo Ostigard and Amir Rrahmani should be the starting duo.
And the Gazzetta also note that star striker Victor Osimhen should be back in the Napoli starting eleven.
