Luciano Spalletti admits this has been a tough week for Napoli under ‘enormous pressure’ and pinpoints where Victor Osimhen still needs to improve.
The Partenopei needed a win to keep their Scudetto dreams alive after the home defeat to Milan, and they got it thanks to an Osimhen brace away to Hellas Verona.
The Nigerian scored both goals after throw-ins caught Hellas napping, first with a header and then a tap-in from six yards.
Serie A | Verona 1-2 Napoli: Osimhen double at the Bentegodi
Marco Davide Faraoni got one back for Verona, but Federico Ceccherini and Faraoni were both sent off.
“We played with focus, sacrifice, pulling out those qualities of character and determination that at times we lack. If we can maintain that level, we can still have our say,” Spalletti told DAZN.
Although he is Napoli’s top scorer this season, Osimhen is still a long way off the finished article.
“Osimhen still doesn’t realise the distance from his marker, sometimes he runs towards the ball and has the time and space to control, pick his spot. He doesn’t need to rush.
“He can start a run from midfield, take on four or five defenders by himself with that pace, so he has such potential.”
Verona coach Igor Tudor said in his press conference that Osimhen was not the best striker in Serie A, instead praising Dusan Vlahovic. Does Spalletti think Tudor has changed his mind?
“Vlahovic is a champion and if a club like Juventus signed him, it means they checked carefully he has everything required to play at that level.
“Osimhen is a top player with everything on his side. He’s young, he’s a good lad, he can be a bit too enthusiastic and gives his all. When we are talking about timing, movement, the dummy on a defender to change direction, these are the areas where he needs to improve.”
It has been a difficult week for Napoli after their 1-0 home defeat to Milan, which risked ruining their Scudetto hopes.
“It was more than difficult, it was incredibly tough. You create all this enthusiasm, the intention to prove ourselves and remain in those places, so it was disappointing we were unable to really be ourselves.
“We didn’t do so very badly in the game, we were a little unfortunate. The sheer love that people have for the team here, you feel that so intensely. Yet the fans cheered us on today and tried everything to stay by our side. Inevitably, that creates enormous pressure.
“From now on, Napoli need to focus only on being ourselves, because we still have the chance to do something remarkable.”