'The best player in Serie A' - Napoli coach highlights importance of Osimhen after game-winning assist
Published: November 25, 2023Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri revealed his admiration for Victor Osimhen after the striker's game-winning assist against Atalanta on Saturday, saying he's delighted to be coaching the best player in the Serie A.
Approximately six weeks after he suffered a hamstring injury in a friendly against Saudi Arabia, the Napoli number 9 made his comeback after entering the fray in the 64th minute.
Napoli were 1-0 up at the break courtesy of last season's Most Valuable Player, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who scored with a header the first goal under Mazzarri's second spell as coach of the Parthenopeans.
Super Eagles midfielder Ademola Lookman matched Kvaratskhelia's strike with a thumping header into the far corner to equalize for Atalanta in the 53rd minute,
In the 79th minute, Osimhen did well to stretch and managed to make a pass for Eljif Elmas to score a crucial goal.
Analyzing Napoli's performance after the game, Walter Mazzarri revealed that he knew all about the qualities of Osimhen before his return to Napoli and likened the CAF Player of the Year nominee to former Napoli fan favorite Edinson Cavani.
"Every team that faces Napoli plays with the utmost attention. When I arrived, I tried to work on some aspects. Osimhen ?" he said to DAZN, va Numero Diez.
"Even though I wasn't coaching Napoli , I knew I was coaching the best player in Serie A. You didn't have to train him to see what he was like. He is a bit generous like Cavani."
After coming through the game unscathed, Osimhen is set to be named in Napoli's traveling squad for their Champions League match against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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