By Morakinyo Abodunrin with Agency Reports
Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti believed his main striker Victor osimhen along with his colleagues were not at their best after losing 4-1 to French side LOSC at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday.
The loss to LOSC was the second in succession after the 3-2 loss to Spanish side Villarreal during the 2022 FIFA World Cup break and Spalletti reckoned his wards were match rusty but hopeful they would bounce back when the Serie A reopens in January.
“We tried to do the right thing to continue down our path but we made too many mistakes out there tonight,” Spalletti told the club’s website after their 4-1 defeat to Lille in a friendly match played at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona .“We still need to finish our preparations and when you play such an open game against such good opponents, it’s too big a risk. It’s all part of the work that we’re doing.”
Wednesday’s defeat became so worrisome to Spalletti and the fans as their scoring talisman Osimhen who was on the pitch throughout the encounter fired blank.
“Our legs don’t currently support our footballing ideas and the technical ability that the team has,” Spalletti further said.
“We need to improve our fitness, which is part of our plans both collectively and individually. We’re working hard in training and showing intensity and focus, so there are no problems in terms of mentality.”
Napoli will return to Serie A action on January 4thagainst former Champions Inter Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza and Osimhen recently hinted that his side would be fit and ready for the remainder of the campaign .
“We can’t wait to play against Inter Milan,” Osimhen told Napoli Magazine