Lobotka starts again for Slovakia, this time against Kazakhstan

Vladimir Weiss keeps faith in the Napoli midfielder to run Slovakia's midfield in their second Nations League Group C fixture of this break.

by Gennaro SanninoTuesday 29 September, 23:30 CET· 2 hours ago

Stanislav Lobotka — Foto: Harpagornis · CC BY-SA 4.0

Stanislav Lobotka's ever-present run continues with Slovakia. Head coach Vladimir Weiss named the Napoli midfielder in his starting XI against Kazakhstan, in the second round of Nations League Group C, again handing him control of midfield.

It is yet another start from the first minute for Lobotka on international duty, adding to the game he already played during this break. Weiss continues to treat him as the fixed point of his midfield — much as is happening at Castel Volturno under Allegri.

A thin midfield back in Naples

At Napoli, the midfield picture remains tight. Anguissa is out with a recurrence of his adductor injury and doubtful for the Frosinone game, while McTominay continues his individually tailored work after having a cardiac ablation. Against that backdrop, Lobotka remains the only untouchable starter in that key area of the pitch — even as his contract renewal through 2027 still sits unresolved at the club.

The midfielder will return to Castel Volturno aiming to be in the best possible shape for 10 October, when Napoli host Frosinone at the Maradona as they try to turn around their worst league start in the last ten years.