Napoli’s New Woes: Anguissa Out, Conte’s Plans Tested by a Fresh Injury

Anguissa Out, Napoli Face Months of Injury Woes

In a surprising development, Napoli confirmed a new setback for the Cameroon midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, signaling that his hiatus from the pitch will last for several months. The latest assessment contradicts earlier chatter that the injury was minor, casting a shadow over Napoli’s midfield engine as they navigate a tough stretch of fixtures.

The midfielder had suffered a muscular issue while with Cameroon and returned earlier than planned for medical tests to determine the extent and nature of the problem. The diagnosis has shifted the club’s outlook from cautious optimism to concrete concern about his availability for the near future.

The Italian press initially offered a more hopeful read, with La Repubblica hinting Napoli might be breathing easier and suggesting the problem wouldn’t be as serious as some reports claimed, calling it a light pull. Yet, Napoli’s own statement painted a different, more pressing picture for the squad and its tactical plans.

According to Napoli, Anguissa is dealing with a serious injury to the left hamstring. This aligns with the broader worry that has already affected several teammates across a demanding schedule.

The setback echoes the broader theme around Napoli this season, since teammates like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku have also faced extended absences in this campaign, reminding everyone that injuries don’t respect banners or ambitions. The consequence is a months-long absence rather than a few weeks, a heavy blow for Napoli and coach Antonio Conte as they recalibrate their options.

Anguissa will turn 30 this Sunday and has been a regular presence for Napoli this term, contributing four goals and two decisive passes over 15 appearances in Serie A and the Champions League. His value to the team has been clear, and his injury leaves a noticeable gap in midfield stability and ball progression.

Napoli now gears up for decisive fixtures, needing to rebound from a difficult run since the start of November when they failed to win in three straight league matches. They head into the next round against Atalanta, a fixture that tests their resolve and depth in a season already filled with dramatic turns.

In European play, Napoli are also set to host Qarabag (as labelled in some reports) in the Champions League group stage, a side enjoying one of its best campaigns this season with two wins, one draw, and one defeat in four matches, including a draw with Chelsea. Upcoming domestic responsibilities include a trip to Roma, coached by the veteran Gian Piero Gasperini, who also boasts strong recent form, with Inter and Napoli close behind in the standings.

Anguissa’s numbers this season reflect his central role: 11 Serie A appearances, 10 as a starter, totaling 932 minutes, with five goals (four and one assist) and a rating around 7.5 across all appearances. In the Champions League, Anguissa started every Napoli fixture in the competition, accumulating 341 minutes, but failing to score or assist as the team struggled for sharper moments on the European stage.

Anguissa joined Napoli in 2021 after two seasons with Fulham. In his first campaign he created two goals in 30 appearances, then shone in the following season with 45 matches, four goals and eight assists. He continued to deliver in 2023-2024 with one goal and four assists across 41 games, and he played a pivotal role in Napoli’s Scudetto win in 2024-2025 with six goals and four assists in 37 appearances.

What has Conte’s Napoli achieved this season? They returned to the Champions League this year after missing out the previous season, opening with a 2-0 away defeat to Manchester City. They rebounded by beating Sporting Lisbon 2-1 at home, only to suffer a heavy 6-2 setback to PSV Eindhoven, followed by a draw with Eintracht Frankfurt. In Serie A, Napoli started strongly but have since hit a rough patch, drawing with Como 0-0, losing to Bologna 2-0, and earlier October seeing Torino defeat them 1-0, with a Milan setback at the end of September 2-1.

Across 11 rounds, Conte’s side have won seven, drawn one, and lost three, scoring 16 and conceding 10 for 22 points, two behind the leaders. The period has exposed the gap between the club’s aspirations and its consistency—certainly a test of the squad’s resilience and of Conte’s tactical depth.

Humor break: If Napoli’s injury list grew any longer, it might need its own medical team’s fan club. Punchline time: the hamstring is now the team’s most overused word—every matchday, it seems to have a new role. Punchline 2: If injuries could score, Anguissa would have a hat-trick by now; fortunately, football is kinder than physics most days.