Napoli Coach Gattuso Delivers Verdict On Osimhen That Will Worry Rohr, Super Eagles Fans

Published: February 11, 2021

Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso faced the cameras shortly after his side were beaten 3-1 by Atalanta in the Coppa Italia semifinal clash at the Gewiss Stadium (Bergamo) on Wednesday evening.

The home team were quick out of the blocks as they were two goals ahead inside sixteen minutes, Duván Zapata and Matteo Pessina the scorers, Hirving Lozano reduced the arrears on 53 minutes and Matteo Pessina wrapped up the scoring in the 78th minute.

Victor Osimhen took a giant step toward building up his match fitness when he was named in the starting lineup for the first time in three months and was on the turf for 78 minutes before his substitution.

Gattuso delivered a damning verdict on the number 9 after the game, saying the striker is lacking sharpness in front of goal after spending several weeks on the sidelines, something which will worry Super Eagles fans and manager Gernot Rohr ahead of the upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Osimhen, the top scoring African in the AFCON qualifers with four goals, has not scored or provided an assist after five games in all competitions since his return to action.

Analyzing Osimhen's performance vs Atalanta, Gattuso was quoted as saying by Napoli's official website : "It’s not easy to be at the top of the game after being out for 94 days.

"He’s still lacking that sharpness, which is his main asset, but he’s gradually making progress. He’s capable of much more".

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : sscnapoli.it