'With Osimhen they'll regain confidence' - Ex-Liverpool & Chelsea coach backs Napoli to beat Milan 

Former Liverpool manager and one-time Chelsea interim boss, Rafael Benítez is backing Napoli to overturn a one-goal disadvantage when they battle Serie A rivals AC Milan in a UEFA Champions League, second leg clash at the Diego Maradona Stadium on Tuesday. 

Benitez believes Napoli can do a comeback with the return of their talismanic striker Victor Osimhen, who was unavailable for selection for the first leg at the San Siro because he was recovering from a minor muscle injury suffered while on international duty with the Super Eagles in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier last last month. 

Last week,  it wasn't a great performance by the Parthenopeans as they lacked the cutting edge without a physical striker troubling the AC Milan back line. 

Osimhen looked sharp on his return from injury against Verona this past weekend and was unfortunate not to score a late winner when his ferocious shot struck the woodwork.

Benitez believes the Nigeria international is a player who can make the difference for Napoli in the Champions League showdown.

When asked if he beleives in a Napoli comeback, the Spanish football tactician said to La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Area Napoli :"Milan and Pioli impressed me, the quarter-finals after the Scudetto are to be commended, but the Azzurri are stronger. So the answer is yes, they can do it. With Osimhen they will regain confidence".

In two previous appearances against AC Milan, Osimhen failed to get on the scoresheet. 

The 24-year-old has mustered four goals in five appearances in this season's Champions League. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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