Conte says Napoli will be patient with returning Lukaku ahead of Supercoppa semi-final

Antonio Conte has urged patience as Napoli prepare to welcome Romelu Lukaku back from injury, with his involvement against AC Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana likely to be limited. 

Lukaku suffered a high-grade tear in his thigh during a pre-season friendly against Olympiacos in August, on the eve of the Serie A campaign.

Belgium's all-time leading scorer underwent surgery and only returned to full training this week, though Napoli have remained in contention to retain the Scudetto in his absence. 

His return comes as the Partenopei prepare to take on Milan in the semi-finals of the Supercoppa in Saudi Arabia, with the victors of Thursday's tie taking on Bologna or Inter in the final on Monday.

While Conte is delighted to have Lukaku back, he says the striker should not be expected to be thrown straight in at the deep end.

"Romelu has no minutes in his legs," the former Chelsea and Tottenham boss said at Wednesday's pre-match press conference.

"We have to be good and have the patience to wait for the right moment. The fact that he is back in the group is good, because he is a player with great importance for us.

"We will have to be patient and carry out the physical tests to understand when he can return without the slightest danger of him having to stop again."

Lukaku played 38 games for Napoli in all competitions last season, as they won the Scudetto for only the second time in the post-Diego Maradona era.

He led all Napoli players for goals (14), expected goals (13.2), assists (11) and total goal involvements (25), with that latter figure being at least eight more than any of his team-mates (Scott McTominay had 17).

Thursday's game will be the first Supercoppa Italiana meeting between Napoli and Milan, and just the second time both sides will meet at a neutral venue in all competitions, after the 1971-72 Coppa Italia final (2-0 to Milan in Rome).

Though they are only a point behind the Rossoneri in Serie A, Napoli have lost consecutive matches in all competitions for only the second time this season (against Udinese and Benfica). 

They could suffer three defeats in a row for the first time since December 2023, under Walter Mazzarri (against Real Madrid, Inter and Juventus), but Conte is positive regarding their prospects. 

"We all want to experience it [the Supercoppa] well, giving everything and possibly hoping to extend our stay until Monday," Conte said.

"Lots of different situations come up throughout the year. We're coming from five wins and now two defeats. We've had different moments in each game.

"The important thing is to work hard, with seriousness, desire, determination and the right enthusiasm. We have to manage victories and defeats in a similar way. 

"Wins can bring you confidence, and in defeat, you have to look at the 'why'. You have to analyse everything well. You have to be good at managing everything and going through your work, especially when you play every three days."