Neapolitans have missed Victor Osimhen so dearly. The Nigerian is in his third season as a Napoli player but such has been his impact that, he’s regarded as a hero in many homes across the south of Italy.
The pure joy, sensational goals and magical moments he’s brought to the city of Naples cannot be quantified, and that is why his absence since the international break has been felt in many aspects. Osimhen has been unavailable since late March when he suffered a thigh injury while away with Nigeria for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
In the four matches that Napoli have since played without the striker, they’ve won only once, scoring just two goals. Luciano Spalletti’s side has also lost twice to AC Milan in that period, first in Serie A and then in the UEFA Champions League.
The common denominator in Napoli’s 4-0 humiliation at the hands of Milan and their second defeat to the Rossoneri in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals is that Osimhen wasn’t available, but fate has a way of setting up the perfect subplots to life’s theories.
And now the whole of Naples is counting on Osimhen to save the club’s European dream.
Napoli have been by far the best team in Serie A this season and their 14-point lead means it’s only a matter of time before they’re crowned champions of Italy. It’s been a collective effort from everyone at the club, with Hirving Lozano, Andre Zambo Anguissa and Piotr Zielinski all playing key roles.
The two names that have captured the headlines the most, however, are Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen. The former has been the creative force in the team and his partnership with Osimhen makes them one of the best duos in Europe.
That said, the Georgian is usually at his best when he plays alongside Osimhen. Both have a seamless understanding and their telepathy on the pitch has helped Napoli unlock several opposition defences.
But Osimhen remains the team’s main source of goals. The Nigerian has been involved in 21 goals in 24 league games. He’s also netted four times in five Champions League matches this term.
So while Milan might have had the better of Napoli in their most recent meetings, Osimhen’s return changes the dynamics of the upcoming second-leg tie between the two teams. The striker played the final 17 minutes of Napoli’s goalless draw against Hellas Verona at the weekend and is in line to start against Milan.
“He’ll start, yes,” Spalletti confirmed after Saturday’s game against Verona. “Osimhen has this physicality and speed, you can throw the ball up to him and he can protect it, use his head or use a change of pace, he has so many different alternatives. He is a hero of these fans now, so there is always a wave of enthusiasm around him.
“These are players made of different stuff, they have so many solutions. They fill the box of delights with all their various characteristics.”
There’s no doubt that Napoli have been hit hard by injuries in recent weeks, especially with Giovanni Simeone also currently on the sidelines, but they’ve missed Osimhen the most. A 1-0 deficit makes Milan the favourites to advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League, but a full-strength Napoli side can’t be underestimated.
Osimhen has already become a hero in Naples but saving the club’s Champions League dream will move him closer to immortality in the eyes of all Neapolitans. At least the player himself can’t wait to make the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona bounce once again.
“We are close to the objective and cannot wait to make our dream come true, to make it a reality,” Osimhen noted this week.
“The players always believed, we always thought we could do something exceptional, even when nobody else believed we could. The affection from the city is extraordinary, I have never received so much love. I can’t wait to celebrate with them at the stadium.”
He’s already a Napoli legend for his role in the club’s imminent Serie A success, but a god-like status now awaits if he produces the goods that power Spalletti’s side to the last four of the Champions League.
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