Luciano Spalletti has offered an explanation on his decision to substitute Victor Osimhen in the crucial Serie A game against AS Roma on Monday.

Spalletti has come in for a great deal of criticism due to his decision to take off the Nigerian in the 82nd minute of the encounter. A move which was aimed at defending the 1-0 lead.

But the decision backfired as Roma scored a late equaliser in stoppage time and the draw blew Napoli’s hope of landing their first Scudetto in 32 years.

Speaking on why he substituted his star Striker, Spalleti said :

“Even before that, we weren’t very fluid and they were spreading it wide to their wing-backs. In terms of our tactics, we improved, but those who came on could’ve done better.”

“We had four out of five players fresh, yet we tried to put the ball long instead of passing it to feet the way we know how.”

Osimhen was distraught after the final whistle, left for dressing shattered, aware their chance of winning silverware this season could well be over.