Calzona warns Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen of Napoli changes

New Napoli coach Francesco Calzona warned Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen he’ll ‘not have a look at their names’ after hauling them off towards Barcelona within the Champions League.

The Partenopei earned a 1-1 draw within the first leg of the Spherical of 16 on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Robert Lewandowski had opened the scoring, cancelled out by Osimhen with the final kick of his sport earlier than he was changed by Giovanni Simeone.

Once they had been nonetheless trailing, Calzona shocked many by taking Kvaratskhelia off the sphere to introduce Jesper Lindstrom, a lot to the plain anger of the Georgia worldwide.

“I preserve the gamers on the sphere who’re doing properly, I don’t have a look at their names,” the coach mentioned to each Sky Sport Italia and in his press conference.

“Matteo Politano had a wonderful match, he was defending properly too with nice vigour. Those that don’t do properly will be eliminated.”

There was some reassurance for Kvaratskhelia, who had stomped over to the bench with out saluting teammates or the coach after his substitution.

“Kvara is a prime participant, he’ll assist us out the best way he did final season. Kvara was substituted, his efficiency was not unbelievable, but it surely’s commonplace for a participant to have an off night time.

“Kvara will knuckle down, work tougher. I used to be not disillusioned together with his actions tactically. He was missing the second to get previous his man, however I’m pretty glad.”

It was famous that Kvaratskhelia was the primary participant to depart the Stadio Maradona and stormed off by means of the blended zone with out chatting with anybody.

He had his hood pulled down over his head, however a scowl was nonetheless seen.

Calzona, who had been an assistant supervisor to each Maurizio Sarri and Luciano Spalletti at Napoli earlier than being given the principle job on Monday, additionally revealed he was not remotely tempted to maintain Osimhen on for longer after the equaliser.

“No, actually I had been able to take him off earlier, however on account of a tactical concern, I stored him on for a number of extra minutes.”

Napoli, Calzona: “Kvara arrabbiato? Io non guardo i nomi. Resta in campo chi fa bene” https://t.co/RWBQLmD0pN

— TUTTOmercatoWEB (@TuttoMercatoWeb) February 21, 2024