Luciano Spalletti has backed star Napoli pair Victor OsimhenAMP and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to rise to the occasion as they prepare to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League last 16.
Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia have been two standout performers for Napoli this season, who boast a 15-point lead in Serie A and coasted through their Champions League group – that contained European heavyweights, Liverpool and Ajax – earlier this season.
Ahead of their first leg in Germany against the reigning Europa League holders, Spalletti heaped praise on both, as well as the club’s decision-makers who brought them to Naples.
Spalletti praised both players and the club’s decision-makers for bringing them to Naples, ahead of their first leg against the defending Europa League champions in Germany.
“From the point of view of maturity, we can cite Osimhen’s reaction to Sassuolo [on Friday] as an example [when he asked to come off after feeling a potential injury],” he told reporters. “As soon as he realised he had a little problem he evaluated correctly, asking for a substitution.
“This is the player who knows how to evaluate things very well, these two types [Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia] they are two of those who truly have the flair, the imagination, the quality to send a message to world football. At the same time, they are two very young boys.
“[Sporting director, Cristiano] Giuntoli and [chairman, Aurelio] De Laurentiis were good at choosing them from a very large group of players, this youth still needs to be shaped, matured.
“Tomorrow night will be an event to be attacked. In my opinion they will be able to interpret it. It is not allowed to be afraid. We will see football that only those at this level can make.”
The former Roma and Inter head coach also leaned into a Christmas analogy put to him by a reporter, comparing the Champions League knockout stage to Christmas morning.
The former head coach of Roma and Inter also embraced a holiday comparison made by a reporter, likening the Champions League knockout round to Christmas morning.
“I have to give the reindeer some milk, because it’s the night before, it’s a party for me,” he replied. “We’ll see if we can unwrap the presents or not.”