)
Nearly two months after firing blanks against Real Madrid at the Maradona, Victor Osimhen gets another shot against Europe’s most illustrious team at the Santiago Bernabeu.
If at first you do not succeed, try and try again. It is the pleasing thing about second chances, and one Victor Osimhen undoubtedly leans on against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
The Nigeria international made his timely return at Atalanta on Saturday, assisting Elif Elmas’ winning goal in Bergamo as Napoli returned to winning ways on Walter Mazzarri’s return to the club. But the striker has Los Blancos in his sights, ready to be decisive in possibly the biggest game of his career after a missed opportunity last month. Be that as it may, it seems an exaggeration to tag Osimhen’s first shot at Real Madrid — a fixture the Partenopei lost 3-2 in Naples — as a failure.
)
20:16 - 25.11.2023
Osimhen returns with winning assist to nullify Lookman's goal in Napoli's win over Atalanta
Super Eagles ace Victor Osimhen came back from injury to inspire Napoli to victory over Ademola Lookman's Atalanta.
)
08:07 - 25.11.2023
'Osimhen is a great guy' — New Napoli manager already in love with Nigerian superstar
We cold be witnessing the start of a beautiful relationship between new Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri and Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen
Rudi Garcia’s departure and Walter Mazzarri’s Napoli return
A lot has changed since that loss at the start of October, with Rudi Garcia’s departure the most significant change heading into Wednesday’s meeting at Santiago Bernabeu.
)
Defeat in the reverse fixture began an ongoing run that has seen Napoli secure zero victories in five consecutive games at the Maradona, and only one victory in their last seven at home (four defeats) soured the mood of Italy’s defending Serie A champions. While the November 8 draw against Union Berlin was disheartening enough, the immediate 1-0 defeat by Empoli four days later was the last straw for Aurelio De Laurentiis — Garcia was gone.
Eyebrows were raised when Mazzarri returned after 10 years. Having repeated his preference for a manager utilising a 4-3-3 after Luciano Spalletti’s departure, appointing one inclined for several variations of a back three was incongruous, even if Mazzarri is expected to be in situ for seven months. That sole reason was why this writer had doubts about the Antonio Conte rumours that surfaced in October.
Will Mazzarri start Osimhen against Real Madrid?
Interestingly, the 62-year-old manager set up his new side in a 4-3-3 at Atalanta, subsequently stating his reluctance for back-four formations in previous jobs.
)
21:05 - 16.11.2023
Walter Mazzarri - 6 Amazing facts about Victor Osimhen's new coach at Napoli
Victor Osimhen has a new boss and here's all you need to know about him.
“The only reason I didn’t use this system before was that my teams didn’t really have the players suited to it,” said Mazzarri after Saturday’s victory at the Gewiss Stadium.
The veteran has not ruled out other formations, and it remains to be seen what part Osimhen plays. Early indications show that Mazzarri is fond of the Super Eagle, underscored by extolling the Nigerian’s mentality in last Friday’s pre-match presser and welcoming his return to action after his game-winning assist against the Bergamaschi.
Despite that, the nature of the injury returnee’s hamstring issue casts doubts on his level of involvement against Carlo Ancelotti’s troops. Ask Osimhen, and he is expected to declare himself ready for a start at the Bernabeu — such is the persona of a player Mazzarri already lauded for thinking of the team and making requisite sacrifices.
)
Coming off the bench in Madrid means the Nigerian’s window to right the perceived wrongs in the Naples fixture is shorter. Starting means he has an extended period to outwit Antonio Rudiger.
Osimhen vs Rudiger
The German centre-back itches for individual battles, especially when given a man-marking remit. It was evident in last season’s Champions League semi-final first-leg meeting with Erling Haaland’s Manchester City when the ex-Chelsea defender restrained the Norwegian. And it was apparent in last month’s victory over Napoli at the Maradona.
READ MORE: Osimhen’s Real Madrid moment slips by as Napoli's marksman avoids spot-kicks
Rudiger was never far from the Napoli centre-forward, sticking to the striker in open play and from set-pieces, keen to limit the damage the striker could cause. Even if it worked for most of the game, Osimhen had his moment, losing the close attention of the former Chelsea man and powering a header goal-bound, only to be denied by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
That was the Nigerian’s only shot on target in Naples, but his broader ineffectiveness was underscored by winning two ground duels from 10 and losing four of six aerial tussles. Another battle between both is a subplot in what was earmarked as the group’s top clash after August’s Champions League draw.
)
Osimhen’s Bernabeu ambition
While qualification is almost assured, recording a statement victory at the Bernabeu gives Mazzarri much-needed credibility on his return to the club.
Having Osimhen in any capacity for that aids the manager’s aim and would be another feather in the striker’s cap. Previously criticised for not scoring in the so-called big games, the Nigerian was decisive in encounters against Juventus, Roma and Atalanta in Serie A last season and netted in the semi-final defeat by Milan in Europe. Indeed, adding Real to that growing list would please the Super Eagle.
Osimhen rose higher than the Los Blancos defence but was thwarted by a fine save. Anticipated to have one moment on Wednesday, one of Europe’s finest frontmen hopes to score a statement strike against the continent’s best side under the lights at their iconic ground.
)
Whatever he does may not have the Bernabeu crowd applauding in unison like they did with Barcelona’s Ronaldinho in 2005 or Juventus’ Alessandro Del Piero in 2008, but it would not diminish a decisive performance against respected opponents.
Strikers live on goals, but you reckon Osimhen would have chosen lighting up the Bernabeu over landing a few blows in the reverse fixture if both options were laid out at the start of the group stage.
And the Napoli striker has another shot at Europe’s most successful club on Wednesday night. Better late than never.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)