Spalletti says playing to Osimhen’s strength helped Napoli secure tough Udinese win
confirms Osimhen will miss Napoli trip to Atalanta
Luciano Spalletti has revealed that playing to Victor Osimhen’s strength helped Napoli secure a 2-1 come-back win against Udinese on Saturday.
Gerard Deulofeu scored a beautiful solo goal before Victor Osimhen scored two goals in the second half to earn Napoli the tough win.
Udinese were the better team in the first half but after a change of tactics and personnel, Napoli came out top in the second half.
“All season we have put pressure on the opponents, but weren’t as sharp and clinical as today. The fans really helped, as they remained passionate and eager to turn it around,” Spalletti told DAZN.
“This is an important victory, because it must be underlined Udinese are a very strong side and so well-organised.
“Osimhen is a player with extraordinary potential. He has this remarkable change of pace, but sometimes he can go beyond his limitations. He is very strong in the air and we made more of those crosses into the box this time.”
Napoli started with a 4-3-3 this afternoon, but then switched to 4-2-3-1 after the restart with the introduction of Dries Mertens for Fabian Ruiz.
“Systems mean only so much, modern football is more about how you interpret them. We must be ready for the high press, for quick turnovers that have been modernised, spaces not between the lines, but between the opposition players. They no longer have these precise lines, it’s about interpreting, seeing and using those spaces.
“There will always be a space behind the defenders and we need to make the most of them.”
Luciano Spalletti confirmed that Victor Osimhen will miss Napoli trip to Atalanta after receiving a late yellow card in the game against Udinese.
The Italian was also asked if Napoli will be leading the table if Victor Osimhen wasn’t injured in November.
“He is one of the players we missed. In these tournaments, you want 18 players available all the time. Osimhen was missing, unfortunately we won’t have him next time through suspension, but at least he will be well-rested.”
