Following Napoli’s 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the Champions League, coach Francesco Calzona issued a stern warning to his players, including star forward Victor Osimhen.
Calzona emphasized that he would base his selection decisions solely on performance, disregarding player names.
In the match against Barcelona, both Osimhen and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia were substituted, despite their star status. Osimhen, who scored the equalizer in the 75th minute, was taken off immediately after.
“I keep the players on the field who are doing well, I don’t look at their names,” Calzona stated in an interview with Sky Sports Italia.
He further explained that he was prepared to substitute Osimhen earlier but had to delay the decision due to tactical considerations. However, after the equalizer, he acted promptly to make the change.
Calzona’s remarks highlight his commitment to meritocracy and his focus on ensuring that performance is the primary factor in team selection, regardless of a player’s reputation or status.
