Barcelona coach Xavier Hernández has lauded Napoli's Victor Osimhen as a standout player ahead of their Champions League match at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Osimhen, who missed the weekend's draw due to fitness concerns, is expected to be cleared to play after training fully with Napoli on Tuesday. Despite a less impressive performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Osimhen has maintained a solid record at club level, contributing to eleven goals in eighteen games this season.
The Nigerian forward is currently one of the most sought-after center forwards globally, with clubs like Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain reportedly interested in him for the upcoming summer transfer window. Hernández recognizes Osimhen's reputation as a top-class finisher with exceptional speed, emphasizing the need for his players, particularly defenders, to stay alert.
In addition to praising Osimhen, Hernández also commended Osimhen's teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has been linked with a potential move to Barcelona. Hernández highlighted Kvaratskhelia as one of the best players in his position and emphasized the importance of defending well against him, along with Osimhen and Politano, to mitigate Napoli's attacking threats.
Barcelona enters the match with defensive concerns, having conceded 21 goals in their last ten games across all competitions. Hernández's acknowledgment of Napoli's attacking prowess underscores the importance of a solid defensive performance from Barcelona to secure a positive result in the Champions League fixture.
