Victor Osimhen is back! The Nigerian striker is the main talking point in the squad list of new Napoli coach Francesco Calzona, who has dispelled any doubts about the attacker’s fitness ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Barcelona.
Osimhen’s name is back on the team sheet for the first time since December 23rd, after almost two months of absence due to suspension and the African Cup of Nations, during which the team has missed his presence.
Without their attacking talisman, Napoli have not been the same. Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has had to lead the attack on his own, but on Wednesday against Barcelona, the line-up will be much more dangerous than in recent weeks of disappointment.
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This includes the recent 1-1 draw against Genoa, which exhausted the patience of Italian Aurelio De Laurentiis with his friend Walter Mazzarri, who was fired on Monday. In that match, Osimhen was not available to the coach despite his return, as he was not 100% fit after playing in the African Cup of Nations final, which he lost.
The new coach, who only had two training sessions to prepare for the crucial clash against Xavi Hernandez’s side, said on Tuesday at a press conference ahead of the match – and at the same time his presentation as coach – that Osimhen had trained normally.
“It wasn’t a very long session, but Osimhen trained at full pace and will be evaluated,” the coach said at the press conference.
The one who is not in the squad due to injury is Belgian Cyril Ngonge, a winter signing from Hellas Verona who had a big impact in recent games coming off the bench.
“Ngonge will not be in the match due to a muscle strain suffered during yesterday’s training,” Napoli said.
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