Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Spalletti: Osimhen will 100% be fit for Milan leg 2

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Wednesday, 12 April 2023 17:26

Striker Victor Osimhen will "100%" be available for Napoli's Champions League quarterfinal second leg against AC Milan next week, manager Luciano Spalletti has declared.

The 24-year-old, who leads the Serie A charts with 21 goals this season, has been suffering from a groin injury and was absent from Napoli's squad as they lost 1-0 to Milan in the first leg of their all-Italian quarterfinal at the San Siro on Wednesday.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

But Spalletti insisted that Osimhen, who has also scored four goals in five Champions League games to help Napoli to reach the quarterfinals for the first time, will be back to help his team attempt to overturn their deficit.

"Victor Osimhen will 100% be available for the return leg at Maradona on Tuesday. He will be there," Spalletti said.

Without Osimhen, Napoli had more shots and more efforts on target than their opponents but couldn't find a way past Milan's defence.

After going behind to Ismael Bennacer's 40th-minute goal, Napoli's situation worsened in the 74th minute when midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa received a second yellow card for pushing Theo Hernandez. Both he and defender Kim Min-Jae, who received a late yellow card, will now be suspended for the second leg.

"Any absence is damaging at this stage of the season, but we also have players who can fill in, which is why we are where we are. We trust the squad. We are sad not to have Anguissa, as it feels unjust not to have him, but there's nothing we can do," Spalletti said to Sky Sport Italia.

"We were on the verge of substituting Anguissa when it happened, so that is disappointing that it took us a minute or two to think of who to replace and I wasn't paying enough attention to the referee. I don't comment on the referee, that is not my role."

Napoli midfielder Eljif Elmas was more willing to comment on the performance of referee Istvan Kovacs, though, suggesting it contributed to his team's downfall.

"I don't know what to say about the refereeing, it was something incredible," he said. "He booked all our players, they committed the same type of fouls but didn't get yellow cards.

"It's something I've never seen before. It was also because of that that at a certain point we became nervous on the field."

Information from the Associated Press and Reuters was used in this report.

Read 321 times

Soccer

Everton's fight to stay in the Premier League: 'You take the knocks, but you keep fighting'

Everton's fight to stay in the Premier League: 'You take the knocks, but you keep fighting'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLIVERPOOL, England -- Sylvester Stallone is an Everton supporter an...

Maradona's children want remains in mausoleum

Maradona's children want remains in mausoleum

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsChildren of the late soccer star Diego Maradona have asked a court...

Sources: Man United leading race to sign Olise

Sources: Man United leading race to sign Olise

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester United are considered front-runners to sign Michael Olis...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Toppin, McConnell help Pacers eliminate Bucks

Toppin, McConnell help Pacers eliminate Bucks

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsINDIANAPOLIS -- T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin complemented one anot...

'Frustrating': Lillard laments injuries after loss

'Frustrating': Lillard laments injuries after loss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsINDIANAPOLIS -- After spending the hours leading up to Game 6 getti...

Baseball

Bally Sports channels pulled off air by Comcast

Bally Sports channels pulled off air by Comcast

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBally Sports channels carried by the distributor Comcast went dark...

Orioles' Bradish gives up 1 run in season debut

Orioles' Bradish gives up 1 run in season debut

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBaltimore Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish was reinstated from the...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated