UCL: Napoli Coach, Calzona Warns Osimhen, Others On Squad Selection

Napoli’s new head coach, Francesco Calzona, has emphasized that he will base his selection for matches on performance rather than names.

Sportxparte understands Calzona was warning the likes of Victor Osimhen who he substituted on Wednesday night after scoring an equalizer for Napoli against Barcelona.

Napoli managed to secure a draw in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League yesterday at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, with Osimhen and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia being replaced.

Osimhen had scored the equalizer in the 75th minute of the game before he was sent off.

In a post-match interview, Calzona told Sky Sports Italia that; “I keep the players on the field who are doing well, I don’t look at their names.”

Calzona also revealed he was not remotely tempted to keep Osimhen on for longer after the equaliser.

“No, in fact I had been ready to take him off earlier, but due to a tactical issue, I kept him on for a few more minutes,” he added.