Napoli new supervisor Francesco Calzona has praised Victor Osimhen for his excellent efficiency in Partenopei’s 1-1 away draw to Cagliari in a Serie A fixture on Sunday on the Unipol Domus stadium.
The 25-year-old headed Napoli into the lead within the 66 minute following an excellent help from Giacomo Raspadori however his effort was not sufficient to seal an vital win for Calzona’s new-look Napoli as Zito Luvumbo netted a last-gasp equaliser for Cagliari.
Osimhen scored his second purpose in two matches, nevertheless it was not sufficient for the Partenopei to safe a much-needed victory.
Osimhen who has scored two targets since getting back from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was substituted within the 85 minutes and the 55-year-old mentioned the Nigerian striker will slowly return to his positive kind
“He was solely drained. Victor is a incredible man. He scored two targets in two matches and can slowly get again in form,” mentioned Calzona.
“Don’t neglect he performed at AFCON. Gamers are devastated after they return. He was drained additionally in opposition to Barcelona, however gamers all the time need to keep on the pitch.”
Regardless of lacking over a month of motion as a consequence of his involvement for Nigeria on the 2023 AFCON, the present African Soccer Participant of the Yr has scored eight targets in 14 Serie A appearances for Napoli within the 2023/23 season.
The Partenopei made their debut underneath new coach Calzona on Wednesday in a Champions League draw with Barcelona, barely two days since Walter Mazzarri was fired. Giovanni Di Lorenzo was sacked.
“We knew Cagliari tended to begin robust at dwelling and end effectively too, so we had been ready,” Calzona informed DAZN.
“We misplaced possession too many instances, which affected us within the first half. The second half was higher; we had two possibilities to kill off the sport, however we didn’t do it. At the least we had been organised, which is vital for a way I see soccer.
“We needed to be extra medical and we needed to be extra centered on a ball that was kicked from the centre circle [leading to Cagliari’s late equaliser],” continued the Italian tactician.
“I had launched Leo Ostigard as a result of he’s robust on headers and I knew this might occur within the closing minutes.
“We begin once more tomorrow, from the organisation and the truth that the sport administration after our purpose was first rate. Sadly, there’s nothing else we are able to do.”
Napoli have already modified three coaches this season and Calzona returned to the membership final week after serving as an assistant to Maurizio Sarri and Luciano Spalletti prior to now.
