Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso says his team is struggling to hit the early season height due to the absence of Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen and his partner in attack Dries Mertens, owngoalnigeria reports.
Yesterday Napoli drew 0-0 with Atalanta in the first leg of the Coppa Italia further heaping pressure on the coach, who has been feeling the heat since the back to back losses suffered to Juventus and Hellas Verona in the Italian Super Cup and Serie A respectively.
Although Napoli are still on track to achieve their aim for the season, Gattuso said he is confused with the complains which he said is down to their lack of output in the opponent’s half.
He picked the absence of the attacking duo of Dries Mertens and Osimhen as part of why they are floundering in attack hence the pressure. He likened the absence of the Nigerian to Inter Milan playing without Romelu Lukaku.
“I would like to see the #Inter without Lukaku and maybe Lautaro. I’ve been saying this for a month. It doesn’t have to be an alibi but the absences of Mertens and Osimhen they weigh like boulders and one cannot ignore this when evaluating the season of Napoli”.
