The powers that be at Serie A giants Napoli are growing increasingly concerned by the wellbeing of star striker Victor Osimhen with a view to their impending showdown with Barcelona.
That’s according to Diario Sport, who have provided an insight into the latest developments behind the scenes at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Osimhen, for his part, is fresh off a gruelling couple of months on the international stage, with Nigeria.
After playing a central role in his nation’s journey all the way to the finale of the Africa Cup of Nations, the hitman, no doubt still heartbroken by a showpiece defeat at the hands of the Ivory Coast, is also struggling badly from a physical standpoint.
As per Sport, Napoli head coach Walter Mazzarri ‘does not know in what condition he will have his biggest star’ when they play host to the aforementioned Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League Last-16 tie between the clubs next week.
Osimhen, it is claimed, lost somewhere between three and four kilos in weight whilst at the AFCON.
In turn, despite having returned to Naples earlier this week, he has already been all but ruled out of the Partenopei’s upcoming Serie A meeting with Genoa.
The 25-year-old will undoubtedly take his place in Napoli’s matchday squad to face Barcelona on Wednesday, February 21st.
His readiness to contribute in a meaningful way, however, remains to be seen.
Conor Laird | GSFN
