Sacked Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri had been eager to face Barcelona in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League match with Victor Osimhen in the lineup.
Osimhen was absent from Napoli’s squad against Genoa over the weekend, a game that ended disastrously for Mazzarri, leading to his dismissal.
The Nigerian striker had been representing Nigeria at the AFCON 2023, where they finished as runners-up.
Francesco Calzona from Slovakia has been appointed as the new coach on a six-month contract until the end of the season.
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In a statement attributed to Mazzarri by La Repubblica via CN24, he expressed his desire for one last opportunity to demonstrate his abilities, stating, “I was hoping to manage against Barcelona with Victor Osimhen on the pitch.”
Osimhen has participated in four matches in this season’s Champions League, scoring one goal and providing one assist.
Barcelona enters Wednesday’s encounter with four wins in their last five matches (and one loss).
On the other hand, Napoli has only managed one victory in their last five games, with two losses and two draws.
Barcelona has emerged victorious in three of their last five meetings with Napoli, while two matches have ended in draws.
