Luciano Spalletti refuses to blame Osimhen's absence for defeat to AC Milan

Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti insists Victor Osimhen’s absence is not the reason behind his side’s embarrassing defeat to AC Milan on Sunday.

Osimhen missed the game after picking up an injury during international break.

In the absence of the Nigerian, Spalletti handed his deputy Giovanni Simeone the opportunity to lead attack, but the Argentine struggled to make any impact as AC Milan ran riot at the Diego Maradona’s Stadium.

Rafael Leao scored a brace, while Ibrahim Diaz and Alexis Saelemaekers scored the other goals.

“Matias Oliver and Piotr Zielinski both returned with problems, Osimhen had that injury, so we we’re a little unlucky with this round, but Milan too had players away on international duty,” Spalletti explained.

The sides will meet again in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final on April 12 and 18, and the Coach will be aiming to have his star Striker back.