The Senegal centre-back recalled the unfortunate incident he endured during a league match in Florence earlier this month
Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly has stated he could not sleep for two days after he was hurt by racist abuse in a Serie A match against Fiorentina.
A fortnight ago, Koulibaly said he was the subject of racist abuse from a section of fans during the encounter that took place at the Stadio Artemio Franchi and he approached the fans immediately after the encounter.
Although Fiorentina apologised for the incident, Koulibaly has condemned the shameful act and he was backed by his Nigerian teammate Victor Osimhen.
Ahead of Thursday’s outing at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, he recounted the event that happened in Florence.
“These are episodes that hurt. After Florence, I didn’t sleep for two days,” Koulibaly told the club’s website.
“The battle against racism must involve the whole world, I personally have been carrying it out for some time. I would like to meet these people to talk and understand why these offences.”
Napoli are yet to register a win in the Europa League in this campaign and they face Group C leaders Legia Warsaw on Thursday.
They currently languish at the bottom of the group with a point after two matches, but Koulibaly wants the Parthenopeans to turn their form around at home as they aim to replicate their scintillating Serie A results in the European tournament.
So far in the Italian top-flight, Luciano Spalletti’s side is yet to drop any point and they sit at the top of the table with 24 points from eight matches.
He said: “Tomorrow we want to win, it will take strength and patience. We meet an experienced team that is in first place in the group. Tomorrow they will wait for us and then leave again.
“We will need to have patience and be solid to seek victory. It is a match that must be won. We will do everything to finish first and qualify for the round of 16.
“In the championship we are doing very well, while in Europe we need success to try to win first place. Tomorrow we will have to find the solidity we have in Italy also in the European field.
“The team is doing well, they can play a quality match but it will take a lot of concentration. We have to keep our feet on the ground while being aware of our value.”
Source: Source: Goal
