Napoli face a major task on their hands ahead of the Milan game – replacing marksman Victor Osimhen upfront. The Nigerian striker is yet to reach full fitness from a muscle injury and is expected to be sidelined for the first-leg UEFA Champions League Round of 16’s encounter against Milan at San Siro.
Having suffered a minor adductor muscle tear during training with Nigeria last month, Osimhen has sat out successive matches for the Partneopei, recently missing outings against Milan and Lecce. After close inspection by the club’s medical staff, Osimhen is highly likely to be ruled out for the opening leg against the Rossoneri.
#ChampionsLeague | #Napoli, il report dell'allenamento odierno: le ultime sulle condizioni di #Osimhen, #Simeone e #Raspadori https://t.co/GtM0N3gdjG
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) April 10, 2023
In fact, Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed the news, as per La Repubblica (via MilanNews)
“Victor is not in the conditions to play, unfortunately. We hope to have him back at the latest for April 18th at the Stadio Maradona.”
Osimhen completed individual training sessions at the start of the week, and understandably, Luciano Spalletti wants the Serie A top scorer to be fully fit for the return leg in Naples just a week away. However, another test is expected to be carried out on the matchday tomorrow to evaluate the forward’s availability, perhaps even as a substitute.
Napoli will be looking to make amends for their shabby 4-0 defeat against Milan in Serie A last week, as they prepare to play their first-ever last 16 knockout game in the UCL.
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