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The Roma manager was impressed with the Super Eagles star, although he wants him to cut out diving from his game.
Mourinho has showered praises on Victor Osimhen after the Nigerian scored in Napoli’s win over Mourinho’s men
Roma suffered a 2-1 defeat in their Serie A clash against runaway leaders Napoli on Sunday night.
Osimhen's hot streak continues
Going into the match, I Giallorossi were yet to lose a game in 2023, but Napoli proved to be a tough challenge.
Napoli started on the front foot and got their deserved opener through a moment of brilliance from Victor Osimhen, who fired into the roof of the net after 17 minutes.
Roma did manage to keep Napoli at bay for the remainder of the first half and started the second half with vigour and purpose.
Mourinho’s men were the best side for the larger part of the second half, and they got their reward through Stephan El Sharawy, who restored parity for the away side.
But just as it looked like Roma would walk away with a draw, Giovanni Simone’s late strike sealed all three points for Luciano Spalletti’s men.
Osimhen receives Mourinho's plaudits
However, it was Osimhen’s goal that took the headlines after the Nigerian showed great composure to control a ball from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before roofing the ball past Rui Patricio in Roma’s goal.
Aside from the goal Osimhen was a menace in Roma’s defence, with Chris Smalling struggling to keep him in check before he was taken off.
During the game, Osimhen and Mourinho shared a brief moment, with the former Chelsea manager shaking the Nigerian’s hand.
Following the match, Mourinho was asked about what he told Osimhen during their brief moment. The ex-Real Madrid man said he praised him but warned him against one aspect of his game.
“I told him, 'You’re a good player but you don’t always need to dive.' He’s a good player. I clapped for his goal from my seat,” Mourinho said as per journalist Lolade Adewuyi.
"He is of the same level as Drogba, but Didier didn't dive. If Victor changes, then OK. I'd buy him if I was at a club with a lot of money.
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"However, if he does go to England one day, he needs to change, because in Italy they put up with this sort of behaviour," Mourinho added.
Osimhen’s goal against Roma is his 14th in Serie A this season, more than any other player in the league. The Nigeria international has now equalled his tally from last season with 18 matches to go.
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![Victor Osimhen now 1 goal behind Segun Odegbami on the top 10 Super Eagles all-time highest goalscorers list [2024]](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/07092024/bf60f5be-dba8-4266-b7d1-eba64d09a879.jpg?operations=fit(600:))
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