Garcia: "Napoli did not intend to be hurtful with Osimhen video"

Napoli boss Rudi Garcia hopes the Partenopei can put the recent drama behind them after Victor Osimhen and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia shone against Udinese.

It had been a very tense situation in the build-up to this match, with some fans and media calling for the French coach to be fired, then Osimhen first raging at Garcia over a substitution, then threatening legal action against the club over a TikTok video mocking his missed penalty against Bologna.

All eyes were on Osimhen, and he responded perfectly against Udinese

"Don't you worry about me, I have some experience, I've got broad shoulders, I'll be fine," smiled the coach on DAZN after a 4-1 victory.

"I am happy for the lads, we really enjoyed seeing this Napoli side control the game, create many chances and push harder to turn good fortune our way. For example, Kvara hit the woodwork twice, but he got the goal eventually. He was fantastic tonight, as he also earned a penalty, provided an assist, but the important thing is that he scored after all that and it means a lot about his mentality.

"Now that he has scored, I think it will take a big weight off his shoulders. I had spoken to him for a long time, told him not to think about it too much, to just enjoy his football. There are few players who can take men on the way he can, we encourage him to do that and when he plays with joy, everything is fine."

Garcia was asked if he had thanked Osimhen for finding the goal, celebrating with his teammates and rediscovering his smile.

"I complimented him, which is different. I have had a very good rapport with Victor since the moment I arrived. I am happy because he scored a goal and centre-forwards always want to score goals. He, too, was unlucky hitting the crossbar and upright in the last few games, but I told him to stay focused on the game.

"Technically, he provided an assist today, because I had named him as the penalty taker this evening. I do not take someone off penalty duties if they make a mistake, but he decided to give that 'assist' to Zielinski."

The last four days have been absolutely chaotic for Osimhen and Napoli, as after his touchline row with Garcia over a substitution against Bologna, there was the TikTok video that went viral.

"Over the last two days, there was a bit of trouble with some clumsy behaviour. Nobody wanted to be hurtful, not the TikTok with the video of Victor, nor Victor by taking his photographs down on social media. Nobody intended to hurt anyone, these are instinctive reactions and are understandable," concluded Garcia.