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By Johnny Edward
Luciano Spalletti confirms Victor Osimhen will start against AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Nigeria international replaced Giacomo Raspadori in the 73rd minute at the Stadio Maradona, making his return after a muscle injury suffered while on international duty with Nigeria in March.
The 24-year-old who is Serie A’s leading scorer with 21 goals, had the best chance of the game for the Partenopei but his effort hit the crossbar minutes after his introduction.
The results sees Napoli’s lead at the top of the Serie A table whittled down by Lazio, but is still a more than comfortable 14 points.
Osimhen’s return means he should be ready to face Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday, where the Rossoneri grabbed a 1-0 first leg advantage.
He had missed the first leg in Milan on Wednesday.
“He’ll start, yes,”Spalletti said.
“Osimhen has this physicality and speed, you can throw the ball up to him and he can protect it, use his head or use a change of pace, he has so many different alternatives. He is a hero of these fans now, so there is always a wave of enthusiasm around him.
“These are players made of different stuff, they have so many solutions. They fill the box of delights with all their various characteristics.”
“For that game we need a bit of everything, not just possession, but balance, moving the ball around well and being a team at all times. That is a quality you only have when the team is mature, consistent in attitude and keeping on your toes all the time. It’s not just about doing it when you play against Milan or in a Champions League quarter-final, it’s doing it all the time.”