Super Cup, Conte: ‘Lobotka ready to play, Lukaku needs time’

Milan, 17 Dec. (LaPresse) – ‘It's a moment in time; during the year, there are always positive situations and others that are less so. We had five wins, then we lost in the Champions League and the league. The important thing is to always work with seriousness, determination and enthusiasm to face victory and defeat in almost the same way.’ This was the statement made by Napoli coach Antonio Conte during a press conference on the eve of the Super Cup semi-final against Milan in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ‘It's right to analyse defeats to understand where we can improve. Nowadays, we play every three days, and you have to be good at managing victories and defeats,’ he added. On Lobotka's condition and the possible change in formation, he explained: ‘He played half an hour in Udine, it wasn't a serious problem, but there are situations where you lose players for a long time. Now he's ready to play, it doesn't change much because there are still two midfielders with McTominay.’ Finally, on Lukaku's return: ‘At the moment, he doesn't even have a few minutes, we have to be good at waiting for him when he's ready. His return to the group is positive, he's a player with charisma and personality who has value. It's an important return, but we need patience and we need tests to understand when he can return without risk.’