Napoli, the reigning Serie A champions, find themselves in a tense situation concerning the fitness of Victor Osimhen as they prepare for their upcoming UEFA Champions League clash against Barcelona.
As per a Sky Sport Italia report, Osimhen is grappling with incomplete fitness due to his recent participation in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he represented his nation.
The striker reportedly shed between 3 to 4 kilograms during the intense competition held in Cote d’Ivoire.
This weight loss has cast uncertainty over Osimhen’s readiness for the crucial match against Barcelona, raising concerns among Napoli’s coaching staff.
The toll of playing seven matches in just a month, under challenging weather conditions in Cote d’Ivoire, has left the 25-year-old still in the process of recovering.
The looming question of Osimhen’s availability puts Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti in a challenging position, contemplating alternative options such as Giovanni Simeone or Giacomo Raspadori to fill the potential void left by the Nigerian forward.
With the clash against Barcelona scheduled at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Tuesday, February 21st, Napoli faces a race against time to assess Osimhen’s fitness and make strategic decisions to secure their footing in the UEFA Champions League encounter.