Without Osimhen “We still have a lot of quality in attack“ — Napoli manager Rudi Garcia declares

Napoli manager Rudi Garcia believes that his team can cope just fine with the absence of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, who got injured on international duty.

Osimhen is ruled out for up to six weeks after picking up an injury while playing for the Super Eagles against Saudi Arabia.

The Nigerian star is expected to be a big miss for the Partenopei as they look to defend their Serie A title; however, Garcia is confident that they can manage.

Garcia was speaking after Napoli’s first match without Osimhen, against Verona, where the Partenopei won 3-1 in a dominant performance.

Goals from 2022/23 Serie A MVP Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Italian winger Matteo Politano were enough to help Napoli to a convincing win, which led Garcia to believe that the Partenopei could do without Osimhen.

Speaking after the game, Garcia said, “Jack [Giacomo Raspadori] is able to tie the team together and allows us to balance the midfield too. In this squad we are fortunate to have Osimhen, Giacomo and also Cholito.

“It is better not to have players injured, but I was calm knowing we still have a lot of quality in attack.”

Napoli may have to do without Osimhen for more than six weeks, if rumours about the Nigerian forward’s future are to be believed, with the Super Eagles striker a reported primary target for Premier League giants Liverpool.