ZITO LUVUMBO NEWS

Napoli triumphs in penalty shootout to reach Italian Cup quarterfinals; Inter also advances

Napoli has advanced to the Italian Cup quarterfinals after a dramatic penalty shootout against Cagliari

1 DAY AGO • Associated Press

Quiet in cameo versus Udinese Luvumbo (thigh) had one off-target shot and two touches and committed two fouls in 18 minutes in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Udinese.

Impact Luvumbo didn't make an impact upon being fielded late in the game. His minutes are bound to increase, especially since Cagliari just lost Andrea Belotti (knee) for most of the season. He has fired at least one shot in each of his three appearances, piling up six (three accurate) and posting one key pass and two crosses (one accurate).

OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Bench option against Udinese Luvumbo (thigh) will begin as a sub in Saturday's match versus Udinese.

Impact Luvumbo will be eased into action after nursing a thigh injury. The coach picked Mattia Felici and Gennaro Borrelli over him in a pair of offensive roles.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go for Udinese fixture Luvumbo (thigh) "is fully available for Sunday's game against Udinese and could start if we choose to," coach Fabio Pisacane announced.

Impact Luvumbo has shaken off a thigh issue that cost him the past three matches and will be in the mix to replace Andrea Belotti, who recently went down with an ACL tear, competing with Gennaro Borrelli and Semih Kilicsoy. He can also star in other roles. He had come off the bench in his first two appearances, posting five shots (three on target), one key pass and two crosses (one accurate).

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers thigh injury Luvumbo has been diagnosed with a low-grade right adductor lesion after returning from international duties, Cagliari announced.

Impact Luvumbo will have to sit out two or three matches after getting hurt while playing with Angola. He logged 61 minutes off the bench in the first two rounds combined. Sebastiano Esposito, Michael Folorunsho, Semih Kilicsoy and Mattia Felici will pick up the slack.

SEPTEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable against Napoli Luvumbo (thigh) hasn't practiced in any capacity since leaving the Venezia game early, Cagliari announced.

Impact Luvumbo has avoided particularly serious muscular problems but won't be able to recover for the season finale, closing it with two goals, two assists, 23 shots (four on target), 17 key passes and 65 crosses (eight accurate) in 26 matches (19 starts), down from his numbers from the previous campaign, also because he missed more time due to a pair of injuries. Florinel Coman, Nicolas Viola or Leonardo Pavoletti will replace him up front versus Napoli.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Bows out against Venezia Luvumbo had two shots (zero on goal), two crosses (one accurate) and two chances created in 57 minutes in Sunday's 3-0 victory over Venezia before exiting due to a muscular problem...

Impact Luvumbo was peppy offensively during his time on the pitch and filled the stat line but quickly subbed off after signaling some discomfort early in the second half. Gianluca Gaetano substituted for him in this one. Nicolas Viola and Florinel Coman would also be options in his role if he were unavailable against Napoli next week.

MAY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Four crosses Saturday Luvumbo generated one shot (zero on goal), four crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Como.

Impact Luvumbo recorded four crosses Saturday, the third time in his last four matches he has recorded four. He also created one chance and took one off-target shot on the attack. On the defensive end he won one tackle, intercepted one pass and won four duels before he was subbed off in the 79th minute for Gianluca Gaetano.

MAY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Creates two chances in Udinese match Luvumbo drew five fouls and had one shot (zero on goal), one cross (one accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 2-1 loss versus Udinese.

Impact Luvumbo was the main creative hub for his side and glided past the defenders at will, but his decision-making in the final third wasn't always on point. He has posted at least one cross in the last six fixtures, totaling 12 (three accurate) and adding four shots (two on target), three key passes and three tackles (two won), scoring and assisting once in such a stretch.

MAY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Dishes out assist against Veorna Luvumbo assisted once to go with one shot (one on goal), four crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Monday's 2-0 victory versus Verona.

Impact Luvumbo got the call for the third time in the last four games and was one the main driving forces of the offense, co-leading his side in deliveries and finding Leonardo Pavoletti with a long one from the right wing to set up the opening goal. He's up to two helpers in the season. He has launched at least one cross in his last seven showings, totaling 17 (two accurate) and adding three shots (two on target), two chances created and three tackles (all won), with one goal and one assist.

APRIL 29 • ROTOWIRE

Slippery against Fiorentina Luvumbo drew five fouls and registered four crosses (zero accurate) in Wednesday's 2-1 defeat versus Fiorentina.

Impact Luvumbo returned to the starting lineup after coming off the bench in the previous game and played the whole game for the first time in months. He moved around a lot and was a nuisance for the opposing defenders but failed to rack up stats. He has had at least one cross in his past six showings, piling up 13 (one accurate), scoring once and posting two hots (one on target) and one chance created.

APRIL 24 • ROTOWIRE

Scores final goal as a sub Luvumbo scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Sunday's 3-0 win against Monza.

Impact Luvumbo scored his first goal since his return from an ankle injury. This was also his first shot on target in his last eight games. His previous goal came from his last shot on target. In his 1,139 minutes this season he has only put three shots on target compared to 16 in his 1,947 minutes last season.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Recovers from injury Luvumbo (thigh) was able to train regularly Friday, Cagliari relayed.

Impact Luvumbo is on track to be back after skipping two contests but is more likely to be eased into action than to start, as he quickly got hurt again after recuperating from a previous ankle injury. Florinel Coman (Achilles) is good to go as well, increasing the competition for minutes up front. Nicolas Viola, Nadir Zortea, Mattia Felici and Gianluca Gaetano are also in the mix in those positions. He has posted one key pass and six crosses (zero accurate) and drawn three fouls in his last two showings.

MARCH 29 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with strain Luvumbo has been diagnosed with a muscular distraction of his right biceps femoris, Cagliari announced.

Impact Luvumbo will be sidelined for at least three weeks and thus will try to return just after the international break at the end of March, Ansa reported. He had just returned from a serious ankle injury. Florinel Coman, Mattia Felici, Nicolas Viola and Gianluca Gaetano will contribute to replacing him since he can star in a few different roles.

MARCH 5 • ROTOWIRE

Subs off against Bologna Luvumbo had one cross (zero accurate) and one tackle (one won) and drew two fouls before leaving Sunday's 2-1 defeat versus Bologna at the 67th minute due to a possible thigh injur...

Impact Luvumbo made his first start since recovering from a serious ankle injury, but he wasn't particularly effective and limped off after pulling up during a sprint. He's set for some tests. Cagliari will be back on the pitch Friday versus Genoa. Mattia Felici and Florinel Coman would pick up the slack if he missed time.

MARCH 2 • ROTOWIRE

Unused against Parma Luvumbo (ankle) didn't play in Sunday's 2-1 win over Parma.

Impact Luvumbo made his first appearance on the bench since mid-December but didn't get minutes. He'll look to get healthier and will have to compete also with newcomer Florinel Coman in addition to Valerio Felici and Nadir Zortea from here on out.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Coming back for Parma match Luvumbo (ankle) will be among the call-ups Sunday, coach Davide Nicola announced.

Impact Luvumbo has completed his rehab from an ankle injury that shelved him for two months and will likely make a few cameos before regaining a regular role. Mattia Felici has been the main beneficiary of his absence. He has scored once and added six shots (one on target), two key passes, 22 crosses (one accurate) and one corner in his last six displays.

FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Stay out for Inter clash Luvumbo (ankle) won't be involved Saturday, coach Davide Nicola announced.

Impact Luvumbo will skip the second straight contest as he has continued to practice on his own in recent days. Alessandro Deiola took his spot in the XI in a more defensive-minded tactic last. Adam Obert, Leonardo Pavoletti and Gianluca Lapadula are also options depending on the scheme.

DECEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Absent for Venezia match Luvumbo (ankle) won't be able to play Sunday against Venezia, coach Davide Nicola announced.

Impact Luvumbo has been training on the side throughout the week and will sit out at least one match due to an ankle sprain. Mattia Felici, Adam Obert or Gianluca Lapadula will take his place in the XI.

DECEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Forced off in Atalanta match Luvumbo had two crosses (zero accurate) and one tackle in 52 minutes in Saturday's game versus Atalanta before bowing out due to an ankle injury, Cagliari relayed.

Impact Luvumbo had mostly a muted performance before having to come out after getting his leg trapped underneath his body on a tackle, but he was able to leave the pitch on his own. He's headed for some tests. Cagliari will face Venezia next Sunday. Valerio Felici was picked over Adam Obert, Nicolas Viola and other options to replace him on the wing.

DECEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Active in Verona contest Luvumbo registered three shots (zero on goal) and three crosses (one accurate) in Friday's 1-0 victory versus Verona.

Impact Luvumbo had a sound performance on offense but wasn't super precise and didn't participate in the goal. He has scored once and logged five shots (one on target), two chances created and 17 crosses (one accurate) in the last four rounds.

NOVEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Swings in four crosses versus Milan Luvumbo drew six fouls and had one shot (zero on goal), four crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 3-3 draw against AC Milan.

Impact Luvumbo couldn't properly follow up his maiden goal but was extremely slippery and active on offense, which should solidify his spot in the starting XI. He has hit the net once and added three shots (one on target), two key passes and 11 crosses (one accurate) in the last five bouts.

NOVEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nets first of the season Luvumbo scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and four crosses (zero accurate) in Monday's 2-1 defeat versus Lazio. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 64th...

Impact After playing as a sub in the last two games, Luvumbo was back in the starting lineup for the eighth time this season. He scored his first goal of the campaign by firing a shot from the center of the box, assisted by Antoine Makoumbou in the 41st minute of play. Luvumbo also registered more than 10 completed passes for the third time on the year.

NOVEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sets up teammate in Parma game Luvumbo assisted once to go with three crosses (one accurate), one tackle (zero won), and one chance created in Monday's 3-2 victory against Parma.

Impact Luvumbo finally managed to make the stat sheet through a helper thanks to a quality cross for Nadir Zortea in the first half. He doesn't have much competition given the characteristics of his teammates. He has logged seven shots (one on target), five chances created and 14 crosses (one accurate) in the last five fixtures.

OCTOBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Lively in Napoli match Luvumbo drew two fouls and registered one shot (zero on goal), six crosses (zero accurate) and two chances created in Sunday's 4-0 loss to Napoli.

Impact Luvumbo couldn't break through like the rest of the Cagliari frontline but still put together a respectable performance on the offensive end. He's still searching for his first goal contribution, while he has posted five key passes, six shots (one on target and 12 crosses (zero accurate).

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE