Champions League: Calzona warns Osimhen, others on player selection

Napoli coach, Francesco Calzona has warned Victor Osimhen and his teammates he will ‘not look at their names’ before deciding on his selection for matches.

Calzona, who took over from Walter Mazzarri on Monday, hauled off star forwards, Victor Osimhen and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia in the 1-1 draw with Barcelona on Wednesday night.

The Serie A champions earned a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Round of 16 contest at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

Osimhen was substituted immediately after netting the equaliser in the 75th minute.

“I keep the players on the field who are doing well, I don’t look at their names,” the coach told Sky Sports Italia after the game.

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.”