Napoli are a step closer to recovering Victor Osimhen, Alex Meret and Piotr Zielinski following Wednesday’s training session.
Victor Osimhen has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring muscle injury during Nigeria’s friendly 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia in Portugal on October 13, missing the Partenopei’s last six consecutive matches.
Likewise, Meret picked up a calf injury after the 1-1 draw with Union Berlin in the Champions League on November 8, missing the loss to Empoli, whilst Zielinski returned from the Poland squad this international break after coming down with tonsillitis.
Osimhen’s last match for Napoli was against Fiorentina, where he scored his sixth Serie A goal of the campaign in a 1-3 home loss on October 8.
Interestingly, in Osimhen’s absence, Napoli won three games, drew two, and lost to struggling Empoli, which led to the sacking of French manager Rudi Garcia.
However, former Napoli and Inter Milan coach Walter Mazzarri was employed on an interim basis until the end of the season.
Mazzarri’s first two matches in charge are tricky away games to Atalanta and Real Madrid on October 25 and 29, respectively.
The 62-year-old tactician had hoped to have Osimhen back from injury in time for the game against Atalanta.
The Super Eagles striker is believed to be more likely to be ready for Napoli’s meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Napoli have seven points from four games in the Champions League and are second behind Real Madrid, who boast 12 points in Group C.
The reigning Serie A champions must win one of their last two games to secure qualification to the knockout rounds.
Nonetheless, as noted by the club on Thursday, Osimhen, Meret and Zielinski all worked with their Napoli teammates for the initial part of Wednesday’s squad training session before the trio departed to work in the gym. All three are now working to be fit when the Partenopeans trade tackles with Atalanta on Saturday, November 25. Kick-off time is 6:00pm.
Lorenzo Insigne also visited the club’s headquarters, greeting the team and wishing them well for the rest of the season.
