ITALY – OCTOBER 28: Stanislav Lobotka is carried off on a stretcher at Monza’s U‑Power Stadium during the Serie A clash with AC Monza. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
The Slovak playmaker clutched his ankle in the first half and was whisked away in tears. Can you picture the stadium’s collective gasp?
Lobotka’s suspected ankle damage came just 15 minutes into the away game at Monza.
Why was Lobotka pulled early? The injury could force Napoli to reshuffle midfield, and his absence may cost vital points. Will the club find a quick fix?
He left the field nearly sobbing after Ricardo Mangas fell on him, trapping and twisting the joint. Scotland’s Billy Gilmour came on as his replacement.
Sky Sport Italia and Gazzetta report the veteran was rushed to hospital for X‑rays to gauge the severity. In my view, the swift move underscores the injury’s seriousness.
This season under Allegri, Lobotka has netted once in eight Serie A outings.
Allegri, the Tuscan manager, sits out tonight, serving the first of a two‑match suspension.
Catch the Monza‑Napoli showdown live, alongside real‑time updates from Genoa‑Juventus, on Football Italia’s LIVEBLOG.