Spalletti wants Osimhen to do better but praises the striker’s courage

The Nigerian Superstar returned to the starting lineup with a bang as the Partenopei kept their title hopes alive with a win against Venezia

Napoli gaffer Luciano Spalletti has rolled out the praises for Victor Osimhen after his heroics against Venezia, but he believes the Super Eagles Eagles star can do much better. Osimhen scored the opener in Napoli’s 2-0 victory over a stubborn Venezia.

Osimhen got his first start for Napoli since November last year. The Super Eagles star sustained an injury last November when he collided with Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar in their 3-2 loss to the Nerazzurri.

He spent almost two months out before returning to action against Bologna on January 17. Since returning to action, Napoli boss Spalletti has opted to ease the 23-year-old back into action slowly, with Osimhen making two substitute appearances.

However, he was back in the starting lineup on Sunday. It turned out to be a brilliant decision by Spalletti, as the Nigerian star scored the crucial opener for Napoli after Venezia proved stubborn for 59 minutes.

Spalletti was impressed by his star man, and he showered encomiums on the former Lille talisman, but he believes Osimhen could still do more.

“Victor can do better than what he did today, we didn’t make it easier,” Spalletti said at the post-match conference as per il Napolista.

“He has to put himself in a position. He’s been out for a long time. He has the courage to praise. He gave a head on the goal even after having been out with such an injury, you can have a doubt.

“Instead, he is a centre forward who has strength and courage,” he added.

The Nigerian star will hope to build on his performance against Venezia when Napoli square off against Inter Milan next week.