Napoli head coach, Walter Mazzarri highlighted the significance of meticulously managing the fitness of key player Victor Osimhen to prevent extended periods of absence.

Osimhen, who made a comeback last weekend against Atalanta after a six-week hiatus due to a hamstring injury, started Napoli’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabéu from the bench.

The striker was only able to enter the game at halftime, signaling the cautious approach adopted by the team to ensure his gradual return to full fitness.

Mazzarri said he’s focused on preserving the player’s long-term availability on the pitch.

“He had 20-25 minutes in his legs with Atalanta at the weekend, we could not risk a relapse and so he is being reintroduced gradually,” Mazzarri said when he was asked why he didn’t start the forward.

Meanwhile, Napoli suffered first defeat under Walter Mazzarri, losing 4-2 to Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Giovanni Simeone opened the scoring for the visitors, but Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham turned it around for Los Blancos.

Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa thought he’d earned a point, but late on Nicolas Paz and Joselu took advantage of some defensive and goalkeeping errors for the final 4-2 result.​