Osimhen ‘might not’ be fit for Napoli-Barcelona

Victor Osimhen was within the stands for the draw with Genoa and Walter Mazzarri warns he ‘may not’ be able to face Barcelona both, as reviews emerge of Napoli stress over his health.

The striker has not been together with his teammates at membership degree for the reason that finish of December, as he flew out to arrange for the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.

He solely scored one objective and helped his facet attain the Closing, the place they capitulated 2-1 to the Ivory Coast.

Regardless of the Closing being final Sunday, Osimhen didn’t return to Naples till late Thursday night after lacking a flight and his first coaching session was on Friday.

Final season’s Capocannoniere was not even within the squad for right this moment’s 1-1 draw with Genoa and there are reviews in Sky Sport Italia, DAZN and Il Mattino claiming that it was Osimhen who requested to be excluded.

Nonetheless, this doesn’t appear to be any empty gesture, as a result of Mazzarri warned to DAZN that Osimhen “may not” be able to play in opposition to Barcelona within the Champions League on Wednesday both.

“We are able to solely hope he could be prepared, however his presence will not be sure. In accordance with him and the medical employees, he’s nowhere close to totally match, he has some muscular points.

“After the Africa Cup of Nations, it might’ve been foolish to danger him right here and danger shedding him for one more couple of months. He’ll practice tomorrow and we hope to have him prepared for Barcelona.”

Talking in his function as Sky Sport Italia pundit, journalist Paolo Condò criticised Napoli for not offering Osimhen with a personal jet to carry him again to Italy a number of days in the past.

Napoli’s Osimhen at his lowest, might miss Barcelona recreation, says Mazzarri https://t.co/OJTGruXTb9 pic.twitter.com/Mqgj4to1ox

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 17, 2024