Napoli kick off their Champions League campaign with a tough road test against Manchester City. To make matters more difficult, manager Antonio Conte will be without Romelu Lukaku, who is sidelined with a long-term injury.

The Belgian forward suffered a left thigh rectus femoris injury during a preseason friendly against Olympiacos. According to team reports, the setback is expected to keep him out of action for three to four months, ruling him out of Napoli’s crucial early fixtures in Europe and Serie A.

“Following the injury suffered against Olympiacos, Romelu Lukaku underwent tests at Pineta Grande Hospital, which revealed a serious injury to the rectus femoris muscle in his left thigh,” Napoli said in a medical report released in late August after the striker went down during preseas

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