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The former Juventus and AC Milan manager was critical of Osimhen and questioned the Nigerian striker's inability to expose Barcelona's weakest link
Former Juventus and Milan coach Fabio Capello dissected Napoli's disappointing 3-1 away loss to Barcelona in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg.
During Sky Sport Italia's post-match analysis, Capello expressed dissatisfaction with Napoli's defensive approach, stating, “The defence was not aggressive enough and if you are not focused on the man, Barcelona can easily find a way to score. It was a poor defensive performance, as we’ve seen in Serie A,” as quoted by AreaNapoli.
Criticism of Osimhen's Performance
Capello joined the chorus of critics who lambasted Victor Osimhen's performance against Barcelona. The Nigerian striker was flagged offside six times in the first half alone, with his presence going largely unnoticed in the second half.
Capello remarked, “He was flagged offside six times in the first half and went unnoticed in the second half,” as quoted by AreaNapoli. He added, “It was not the same Osimhen we usually see. He struggled against Barcelona defenders and only won one aerial duel. Barcelona’s weak point was the defence, and he could not emerge.”
Capello critical of Champions League tie referee
While acknowledging Napoli's shortcomings, Capello believed that the Partenopei were denied a penalty kick in the second half for a potential foul on Osimhen.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the referee's decisions, Capello felt that Napoli deserved a penalty but were not awarded one, further compounding their frustrations in the match.
Champions League Exit and FIFA Club World Cup Miss
Napoli's defeat to Barcelona not only resulted in their elimination from the Champions League but also meant that they failed to qualify for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. This setback opens up opportunities for their Serie A rivals, including Juventus, in the international competition.
Looking ahead, Napoli will aim to bounce back in Serie A as they face Inter at the Stadio Meazza in San Siro on Sunday, March 17. With their Champions League campaign behind them, Napoli will shift their focus to domestic competition as they strive for success in Serie A.
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