Tag: Osimhen

Victor Osimhen grabbed his 14th  goal of the season for Napoli in a 2-2 draw with Roma, while Ademola Lookman scored to help Atalanta win in Serie A tonight.

Osimhen put away a penalty in the 84th  minute.

However, it was not the match winner as Tammy Abraham came off the bench to snatch a late equalizer for visiting Roma.

In Turkey, Paul Onuachu scored his first hat-trick  for Trabzonspor to smash past Gaziantep SK 4-2.

The Super Eagles striker got the home team back on 50 minutes after the visitors had raced to 2-0 in the first half.

Read Also: Osimhen tags Napoli fans extraordinary

He scored again on 66 minutes, before he completed his treble two minutes later. He has only played his comeback game after injury the previous week.

The Southampton loanee has now scored 12 goals for the Ankara-based club.

Meanwhile, Cyriel Dessers was again the match winner for Rangers as they kept on the pressure on table toppers and local rivals Celtic in Scotland.

The Super Eagles striker scored what proved the winning goal for Rangers in the 74th minute at St. Mirren as the Gers survived another potentially grievous blow to their Scottish Premiership title hopes.

Philippe Clement’s side needed a win in Paisley to draw level with leaders Celtic as the reigning champions prepared to visit Dundee in Sunday’s later kick-off.

They edged in front somewhat fortuitously after a nervy start shortly after the half-hour mark when home centre-back James Bolton diverted into his own net under pressure.

Mikael Mandron’s header off a post drew fifth-top St Mirren level moments later, but as the title pressure appeared to again weigh heavily on Rangers shoulders, Dessers rose to head the winner with 15 minutes remaining.

Africa Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, is reportedly close  to a move  Paris Saint Germain after the French giants decided to pay the €120m release clause (about N138,090,154,800) in the current contract of Nigeria International striker.

The 25-year-old is expected to leave Naples this summer after a successful four years at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona amidst a rash of interests from top European clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United  at one point or the other.

Osimhen helped fire Napoli to the Serie A title last season and has impressively netted 74 times across 129 appearances for the Italian side so far. The 2022/23 campaign was by far the striker’s most impressive as the Nigeria international scored 31 goals across 39 appearances to command attention of several clubs.

But Italian daily newspaper, Il Mattino , as per  Metro UK  claimed that   Osimhen is ‘one step away’ from a move to PSG and Napoli are waiting for the French club to meet the striker’s release clause.

PSG  is expected to fund  Osimhen’s  switch from Naples to the French capital  with the  ‘money freed up by Kylian Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid’ with further claims that Chelsea  has missed out of the opportunity to sign the Nigerian ace striker.

Read Also:Osimhen tags Napoli fans extraordinary

Incidentally, Osimhen has already indicated that he is preparing for an emotional farewell with Napoli fans next month.

“For me it’s a fantastic feeling, in some clubs it’s the history that creates the identity, in Naples it’s the fans who make the team what it is. The way they support the team and each player is truly incredible,” Osimhen said this week.

 “Sometimes I understand why some legends of the past cried when they left Naples, because it is an extraordinary emotion to play in the stadium and hear your name shouted from the first minute to the 90th , supporting the team and cheering.”

According to Metro UK,  Osimhen’s decision will come as a blow for Chelsea, who have struggled in front of goal this season with the injury to Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson’s inconsistency inside the box.

The Nigeria international striker  Victor Osimhen  has spoken passionately  about his relationship  with  fans of Napoli adding  he finds the Azzurri unique.

 Expected to leave the Italian Serie A side in the summer, Osimhen  said it had been a great moments for to play  in front of the Napoli faithful.

He told Betsson Sports: “Describe the Napoli fans in one word? Extraordinary. For me it’s absolutely incredible. I’ve been in football for 6-7 years now and I say it in every interview when they ask me about Napoli fans. When I have to look for a word to describe them I am speechless because they are absolutely electrifying, I have never seen anything like this that takes football so seriously the way fans support the team is truly unbelievable. I have played in other clubs, but the passion that the Neapolitans have for their club is out of this world.

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“You can see it in the stadium, when we lose or when we win, everyone in the stadium is really electrifying, every player has goosebumps, not just Victor, and when we score it’s fantastic, the whole stadium turns upside down and starts celebrating. They are among the best fans in the world for how they support their team and how they live their everyday lives making sure the identity of this club is connected to them.

“For me it’s a fantastic feeling, in some clubs it’s the history that creates the identity, in Naples it’s the fans who make the team what it is. The way they support the team and each player is truly incredible. Sometimes I understand why some legends of the past cried when they left Naples, because it is an extraordinary emotion to play in the stadium and hear your name shouted from the first minute to the 90th , supporting the team and cheering.”

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, notched his 13th Serie A goal of the season from just 20 games as Napoli got a 2-2 draw at home to Frosinone.

The draw only fetched the Partenopei a point and they are eighth on the log with 49 points from 32 games.

In another game in the Serie A, Samuel Chukwueze scored but got his goal chalked up by Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in AC Milan 3-3 draw at Sassuolo. AC Milan remain in second spot with 69 points from 32 games.

Elsewhere in Turkey, Ibrahim Olawoyin bagged his second assist of the season as Rizespor thrashed Antalyaspor 3-0 at home. He created the assist for the opening goal. He has played 30 games and scored six goals in his debut season in the Turkish Super Lig. Rizespor are fifth on the log with 48 points from 32 games.

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In Belgium, Raphael Onyedika was on the scoresheet for the second consecutive game in Club Brugge’s 3-0 win over Royal Antwerp. Onyedika didn’t score in the regular season at all but he has three goals already from two games from two playoff games as Club Brugge stage a late push for the Belgian League crown.

Onyedika grabbed  the team’s opener in the 44th  minute before further goals from Michal Skoras and Philip Zinckernagel in the 60th and 90+8 minutes added gloss to the victory. Club Brugge are third with 33 points from 33 games and are in the hunt for the UEFA Champions League spot.

Royal Antwerp paraded George Ilenikhena, Alhassan Yusuf and Chidera Ejuke in the game but they were unable to save the club from the defeat.

In France, even without Moses Simon, FC Nantes still managed to edge Le Havre 1-0 away through a stoppage time Kader Bamba strike. Nantes are in 14th spot with 31 points from 29 games. Simon who underwent ankle surgery is still recovering from his injury.

In another French Ligue One tie, Akor Adams bagged his first assist of the season in Montpellier’s 1-1 draw away to Clermont Foot. Adams featured in his 27th league game of the season. He has scored seven goals.

The draw keeps Montpellier in 14th  spot with 32 points from 33 games.

Meanwhile in Scotland, Glasgow Rangers burgled the Golden chance to close the gap on reigning SPL champs, Celtic following their 3-2 loss at Ross County. It was the first time Ross County would beat Rangers in the league in their history and that defeat has seen the Gers trail first placed Celtic by four points but with a game in hand.

Cyriel Dessers started for Rangers before he was substituted in the 73rd minute. He fired blanks.

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is now said to be ‘very close’ to sealing a move to Paris Saint-Germain, with the Serie A giants resigned to losing him.

Il Mattino have reported about Osimhen’s future, stating that he will play the last seven games of his Serie A stint with Napoli and an agreement to join PSG is now only a step away. The French giants are said to be in a rush to complete a move, with talks having already taken place with the striker’s entourage.

Read Also: Drogba hails Osimhen’s  header against Monza

The Ligue 1 side are ready to pay the entire sum of Osimhen’s current release clause, which is said to be at €120 million. They also are keen to offer a rich four-year deal to the Nigerian, who will earn €13 million per season at the club.

Osimhen was in Paris recently, with PSG looking to tighten their grip and seal the move. The relationship between Aurelio de Laurentiis and Nasser Al Khelaifi is excellent for a while now and that has helped in the move to potentially pick up pace, with Osimhen likely to manage his own image rights as part of the switch.

Chelsea legend, Ivorian Didier Drogba, has lauded Nigerian international Victor Osimhen for his stunning goal during Napoli’s recent clash against Monza.

Osimhen’s goal, a remarkable header likened to a basketball jump shot, opened the scoring in Napoli’s 4-2 victory.

The goal captured the attention of the football world and earned him the nickname “Osi-Air” for his aerial prowess.

Despite the injury he sustained while executing the extraordinary goal, Drogba expressed admiration for the young striker’s performance,

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Commenting on the goal, the former striker was quoted by The Napolista as having admitted that he wouldn’t have attempted such a feat during his playing days.

 “I saw Victor score that goal against Monza. Oh God! He got hurt, I thought. I wouldn’t have gone for that ball, it’s crazy. An absurd goal!” he said.

Osimhen is reported to have jumped 2.23 meters, although this fell short of his previous record-setting leap of 2.58 meters during Napoli’s win over Spezia, according to Sky’s Studios via The Napolista.

In the earlier match against Spezia, Osimhen recorded a staggering 71cm leap, reaching a height of 8.47 feet (2.58 meters) – higher than the crossbar (8 feet) – before heading the ball past Spezia goalkeeper Bartłomiej Drągowski.

• Nigerian ace listed in 10 best goalscoring jumps

Transfer expert Matteo Moretto has insisted that  the Premier League remains the most likely destination for Napoli star striker Victor Osimhen despite recent links to PSG from Italian media.

Osimhen will be one of the most trending names in the summer transfer window as Napoli are prepared to sell the Nigeria international who has a release clause between €120m-€130m.

Recent reports in Italy suggested Osimhen was likely to join PSG at the end of the season as a replacement for Kylian Mbappé.

However, Football Italia transfer expert Matteo Moretto has told Caught Offside’s Daily Briefing that the Premier League remains a more likely destination for the Nigeria international.

Moretto insisted he ‘never mentioned’ PSG as a possible destination for Osimhen, given that the Ligue 1 giants will continue relying on Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos.

On the other hand, the Italian transfer expert is convinced Premier League clubs are paying the closest attention to Osimhen ahead of a summer transfer.

Meanwhile,  Osimhen’s stunning goal against Monza on Sunday has been listed as one of the 10 highest goalscoring jumps in football.

The 25-year-old Nigerian striker scored from around 2.23 metres off the ground in the Partenopei’s 4-2 victory on the weekend, earning praise for his quality in the air and ability to find the back of the net.

As highlighted by Sky Sports Italia, whilst Osimhen did impress with his high jump for his goal against Monza, it wasn’t even his highest ever or the best in football history.

The 25-year-old who has now scored 14 goals across 26 games this season,  is already fifth in the list for his goal against Spezia in February 2023, when he scored from 2.58m up.

Read Also: Osimhen fuels Napoli’s win in six-goal thriller at Monza

The highest scoring jump in Serie A goes to Fikayo Tomori for his goal against Juventus in May 2021, where he scored from 2.61 metres off the ground. Number one on the list is Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal for Real Madrid against Manchester United in February 2013, scoring from 2.93m up.

The full list:

Ronaldo vs Wales in July 2016 – 2.42m

Ronaldo vs Osasuna in November 2011 – 2.44m

Ronaldo vs Torino in May 2019 – 2.47m

Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs Inter in February 2020 – 2.53m (assist)

Ronaldo vs Sampdoria in December 2019 – 2.56m

Osimhen vs Spezia in February 2023 – 2.58m

Tomori vs Juventus in May 2021 – 2.61m

Bevis Mugabi vs Ross County in January 2021 – 2.62m

Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen was among the goals as Napoli scored three goals within six second-half minutes as they clinched a 4-2 victory at Monza to keep alive their slim hopes of a top-four finish in Serie A.

The defending champions are seventh in the table with 48 points, 10 points behind fourth-placed Bologna, who played out a goalless draw at Frosinone earlier on Sunday. Monza are 11th  with 42 points.

Napoli still find themselves in a challenging position in the table, trailing both AS Roma and Atalanta who sit in fifth and sixth place with 55 and 50 points respectively. Atalanta have two matches in hand before their clash at Cagliari last night.

Coach Francesco Calzona preferred not to discuss how the season could end for Napoli.

“We are forced to take it one game at a time because it doesn’t only depend on us,” he told DAZN.

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“We have to keep winning and maintain some hope of finishing in the top spots. If we play like the second half, we can have hope but not if we play like we did in the first half.”

Calzona said he had had a serious talk with the players during the break.

“During halftime we talk, we discuss the problems, try to resolve them. The lads got the message but it’s not just today, I’ve been saying this for a long time.”

Milan Duric nodded in the opening goal for Monza nine minutes into the match, outmanoeuvring Napoli’s Juan Jesus to connect with a cross.

While Napoli focused on achieving an equaliser, Monza goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio performed admirably to maintain his side’s advantage going into the break.

The second half was frenzied, with five goals coming in 13 minutes at the sunny Stadio Brianteo.

Napoli began their comeback 10 minutes into the second half, when  Osimhen rose so high to nod in the equaliser that he landed on his face, requiring a brief moment of treatment before continuing.

Two minutes later, Matteo Politano unleashed a perfectly executed left-footed volley from outside the box, finding the far right corner and leaving the stadium stunned by the display.

With Monza in disarray, Napoli secured their third goal in the 61st minute, when Piotr Zielinski unleashed a shot from distance that struck the underside of the bar and found the net.

Andrea Colpani demonstrated that Monza could also produce impressive goals by curling a shot into the corner a minute later to keep alive the home fans’ hopes.

Giacomo Raspadori scored Napoli’s fourth goal after 68 minutes, less than a minute after being substituted, by sending in the rebound from a save by Di Gregorio.

“They were spectacular goals but I like to underline Raspadori’s goal because he believed to the end,” Calzona said.

“Strikers must have that instinct to attack the goal even when it seems unlikely that the ball will come to him.”

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis was questioned today as part of an investigation into alleged false accounting in the Victor Osimhen deal.

When the Partenopei signed the Nigerian striker back in September 2020, the deal was valued at €76,356,819, which included the apparent market value of four players who made the switch to Lille as part of the transfer.

The market value for these players total around €20m, breaking down as follows: Ciro Palmieri -€7,026,349, Orestis Karnezis – €5,128,205, Luigi Liguori – €4,071,247 and Claudio Manzi – €4,021,762. Investigators allege that these market values were inflated to help Napoli’s books.

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Calciomercato.com detailed  how Napoli president De Laurentiis arrived at the FIGC prosecutor’s office in Rome today accompanied by his lawyer Fabio Fulgeri, where he was subjected to around 90 minutes of questioning by deputy prosecutor Giuseppe Cascini as part of the investigation into false accounting.

Liguori spoke out about the situation back in 2021, adding fuel to the fire, saying: “It wasn’t a deal (Osimhen, ed.) done for us, for our futures. It was for something else. We got pushed out of Napoli with ‘guilt’. Because we didn’t know anything.”

Napoli released an official statement addressing De Laurentiis’ visit to the FIGC prosecutor’s office today, commenting: “Aurelio De Laurentiis requested and obtained to be questioned by the Public Prosecutors of the Rome Prosecutor’s Office in the context of the ongoing investigations for the sale of the footballer Victor Osimhen.”