Napoli’s injury list has grown again during the international break, with Mathias Olivera leaving Uruguay’s training camp after suffering a minor groin muscle injury.
Key takeaways
- Olivera felt discomfort in his groin during Uruguay training on Friday 2 October in India.
- Medical checks confirmed a slight muscular lesion.
- The Napoli defender has chosen to return to Italy to continue his rehabilitation with the club.
- His absence adds to a difficult early-season injury situation for Napoli.
- The news follows Favasuli’s injury while away with the Italy Under-21 side.
Another concern during the break
Olivera’s problem emerged during a weekend session with the Uruguay national team. The federation’s examinations established that the injury was not severe, but sufficient to end his involvement with the squad and send him back to Naples.
Uruguay confirmed that the Napoli player had reported groin pain during Friday’s training session in India. After the subsequent tests revealed a minor muscle injury, the decision was taken for him to rejoin his club and carry on his recovery programme there.
For Napoli, it is another interruption in a season already marked by fitness concerns across the squad. The international window has brought no relief, with Favasuli also sustaining a setback while on Under-21 duty.
Selection pressure for Allegri
Massimiliano Allegri must now absorb another medical update at a stage of the campaign when continuity is becoming increasingly important. Olivera’s return to Italy means Napoli’s staff can assess his condition directly and set his timetable for rehabilitation, but the defender’s availability after the break will depend on how he responds in the coming days.
The injury has been described as slight, offering some encouragement amid a growing list of absentees. Yet Napoli will be wary of forcing a return, particularly with the championship season beginning to demand reliable options week after week.
