Roma coach Daniel De Rossi has confirmed that Ivorian defender Evan Ndicka and Italy international Gianluca Mancini will be tasked with keeping Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in check when both teams clash on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Napoli will be renewing their rivalry with Roma when both teams meet at the Diego Maradona Stadium on Saturday evening. However, both teams go into the tie with contracting fortunes. While Roma have won four of their last five, Napoli have won just one of their last five games. Also, nine points separate both clubs on the Serie A table, as the Giallorossi sit fifth, while the Partenopeans are eighth and in danger of missing out of European football.
Last season, Nigeria striker Osimhen found a lot of joy playing Roma, as he scored once in both legs to spur Napoli to victory. However, this season, it has not gone as he would have liked.
He got sent off in the first leg, and Napoli lost 2-0. Roma boss De Rossi would be hoping for a similar result, ahead of the second leg on Saturday. And ahead of the fixture, he hqs revealed that his defenders are fully fit and would be looking to neutralize Osimhen
“Evan Ndicka) is fine, he trained and made it clear above all with his words that he felt great, we also see it in training, he is not afraid of tackles, of clashes, he is back as a 100% player,” De Rossi said per Napoli Magazine.
“He and Mancio will have a good duel ahead because Osimhen is one of the strongest strikers around in the world and therefore we are very confident in them.”
Despite De Rossi’s words, Napoli fans will be hoping that Osimhen can deliver the goods for them to help them clinch a continental football ticket.