Napoli Must Protect Osimhen – Mazzarri

Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri insists he must ‘protect’ Victor Osimhen and believes the Partenopei can’t make a ‘revolution’ in January.

Osimhen was sent off in the Partenopei’s 2-0 defeat to AS Roma last week and will miss the Serie A champions’ clash with Monza on Friday.

Mazzarri stated that he has pardoned the striker for picking a red card in the game, saying it was the pressure after such a great season.

“Unfortunately, he was returning from an injury, and now he will play in the Africa Cup of Nations. I pardon him for the red card because he must be protected.

“Perhaps he felt the pressure after such a great season,” explained Mazzarri.

Matteo Politano was also shown a red card at the Stadio Olimpico last week. Why was the Italian winger so irritable?

“I thank the fans. I know the stadium will be sold out and I am happy to know our fans are supporting us. You know a few players are out, but we must play a great game,” Mazzarri said at a press conference on Thursday,according to Corriere dello Sport.

Eljif Elmas has joined RB Leipzig for €25m and the Partenopei are expected to sign a few players next month. However, Mazzarri was unwilling to discuss the club’s transfer strategies in depth.

“I don’t expect a revolution because it’s something you can’t do in January,” he said.

“You know I prefer the club to talk about transfers, I want to help the player regain the same confidence as last season. We need to be balanced and we must avoid errors.

“I came here to help and I want to do it until the end. It hurts not to have earned two or three extra points that would have helped us. We deserved more against Juventus and Roma.

“Tomorrow’s game is very difficult. Lazio played with our same system and they struggled against Monza,” Mazzarri continued.