NEW Napoli manager Francesco Calzona has warned Victor Osimhen and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia that he will ‘not look at their names’ after substituting the stars off last night in the UEFA Champions League clash against Barcelona.
Super Eagles of Nigeria striker scored Napoli’s goal as they earned a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the round of 16 tie at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Robert Lewandowski had opened the scoring and Osimhen equalised in the 75th minute before he was immediately replaced by Giovanni Simeone.
When Napoli were still trailing, Calzona surprisingly took Kvaratskhelia off for Jesper Lindstrom, with the Georgia forward obviously not pleased.
“I keep the players on the field who are doing well, I don’t look at their names,” Calzona told Sky Sport Italia.
“Matteo Politano had an excellent match, he was defending well too with great vigour. Those who do not do well can be removed.”
Calzona however added that he would still rely on Kvaratskhelia, who along with Osimhen stood out for Napoli last season as they won their first Series A title in 33 years.
“Kvara is a top player, he will help us out the way he did last season. Kvara was substituted, his performance was not fantastic, but it’s not unusual for a player to have an off night,” the new boss, who doubles as Slovakia head coach, noted.
“Kvara will knuckle down, work harder. I was not disappointed with his movements tactically. He was lacking the moment to get past his man, but I am fairly satisfied.”
Calzona, who had been an assistant manager to both Maurizio Sarri and Luciano Spalletti at Napoli before being given the head coach job on Monday, also revealed he was not 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 said.
