Adli opened up about his time in Milan, acknowledging that he was “missing some things” but thanked Pioli for his support. Meanwhile, Napoli’s key player, Lobotka, will be sidelined for a few matches due to injury, though initial reports suggest he should recover soon.
Adli Thanks Pioli, Admits He Was “Missing Some Things” at Milan
Adli signed a permanent deal with Milan from Bordeaux but returned to the French team on loan for a year before officially joining Milan. However, his time with the Rossoneri was inconsistent, as he faced difficulties securing regular playing time under Pioli.
He was loaned to Fiorentina in the summer (with an option to buy) after Paulo Fonseca didn’t see him as a key part of his plans. The midfielder’s message was clear, as he scored against Milan for his new team in the match before the break.
In an interview with Sky, Adli discussed his experience in Florence and reflected on his time at his parent club in Milan.
“My arrival at Fiorentina? I had a slightly different pre-season than usual, but I worked hard to get back to my best, and now I’m fine,” he said (via MilanPress).
“I arrived with the desire to settle in and make myself known to my teammates. Everyone helped me. Palladino gives me confidence, and I respond with the desire to work. Game after game, you have to take everything you deserve.
“When I arrived in Italy I was missing some things to be a complete player. Pioli helped me a lot, and I looked for this growth to play there. I want to win something with Fiorentina, and I want to aim high; I hope to give a lot of help to the team.”
Napoli’s Key Player Lobotka to Miss a Few Matches
Stanislav Lobotka will be sidelined for a while, but his injury from the Slovakia match isn’t too severe. He has been diagnosed with a strain of the left semitendinosus muscle. He will miss the upcoming games against Empoli and Lecce, with hopes of returning for the matches against Milan and Atalanta, according to Sky.
The maestro had been a consistent presence on the pitch for Napoli, playing every single game for two full seasons. His durability and fitness were key to the team’s success during that time. However, as a precautionary measure, Napoli took steps last summer to ensure they had solid backup options for their key players. Despite not being involved in cup competitions, the club decided to bring in reinforcements to avoid any risk of injury affecting their squad.
One of the new signings was Billy Gilmour, who was acquired for €14M from Brighton. Gilmour’s role will be crucial as he steps in to fill the void left by Lobotka’s absence. While he has made only brief cameo appearances off the bench so far, Gilmour’s versatility and quality have been evident. His first start for the club came against Palermo in the Coppa Italia, where he had the opportunity to showcase his skills in a more prominent role.
Meanwhile, Napoli also had to deal with another injury concern, this time involving Mathias Olivera. The left-back picked up a thigh problem while on international duty with Uruguay. Despite the setback, the early prognosis for Olivera is encouraging, with Gianluca Di Marzio reporting that he is expected to return to the squad by Friday. Olivera has been a regular starter in recent matches and has proven to be a more natural fit in a four-man defense compared to Leonardo Spinazzola, who has been used in a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Olivera’s ability to adapt to a four-man defense gives Napoli additional flexibility, and in his absence, the team has other reliable options. Juan Jesus and Pasquale Mazzocchi are both capable of filling in at left-back, ensuring that Napoli has sufficient depth to cover for injuries without compromising the team’s performance. With these tactical options, Napoli remains well-prepared to navigate the challenges posed by injuries while continuing to compete at the highest level.
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