Osimhen assists Napoli to victory over Atalanta as Lookman features off the bench

Victor Osimhen has been scoring for fun this season

SERIE A Osimhen assists Napoli to victory over Atalanta as Lookman features off the bench

Tunde Young 19:56 - 11.03.2023

Victor Osimhen notched an assist in Napoli's 2-0 win against Atalanta while Ademola Lookman only managed a late cameo

Napoli continue to march towards their first Serie A title in 33 years with a 2-0 win at home to Atalanta.

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Il Partenopei lost to Lazio last week but bounced back and extended their lead at the top of the table to 18 points over closest challengers Inter.

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen led the line for Napoli and assisted the first goal while his compatriot Ademola Lookman was a spectator for the vast majority of the game.

Napoli 2-0 Atalanta

Napoli started the game on a quest to prove that last week's 1-0 loss to Lazio was just a minor blip and they displayed that intent early on when Matteo Politano forced Juan Musso into a near-post save.

Matteo Politano caused problems for Atalanta early on
Matteo Politano caused problems for Atalanta early on

Musso would be called into action at his near post again, this time making a strong stop to deny Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after the Georgian had danced his way into a shooting position.

Napoli continued to create half chances but the first half would end goalless with the hosts pushing for a win while Atalanta appeared to be playing for a draw.

The second 45' continued in the same stead, Victor Osimhen's acrobatic effort was the next highlight but the Nigerian striker was denied by Musso.

Osimhen attempted an overhead kick which was saved
Osimhen attempted an overhead kick which was saved

The 24-year-old was then presented with a clearer opportunity but he uncharacteristically headed wide of the target from close range.

It was a case of 'cometh the hour, cometh the man' for Napoli as Kvicha Kvaratskhelia received the ball from Osimhen and then proceeded to embarrass the Atalanta defence before lashing home the opening goal in the 60th minute. 

Victor Osimhen assisted Kvicha Kvaratskhelia's opening goal for Napoli against Atalanta
Kvicha Kvaratskhelia scored a superb goal to open the scoring for Napoli against Atalanta

Amir Rrahmani then headed home the second goal in the 77th minute to seal the win and secure all three points for the Azzurri.

Osimhen stars for Napoli, Lookman plays bit part for Atalanta

This game between Napoli and Atalanta had been billed as the tale of two Nigerians, Victor Osimhen v Ademola Lookman.

Both forwards have been in stellar form this season and are the top scorers for their respective clubs but they failed to live up to the billing with Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro watching on.

Osimhen started the game for Napoli and although he failed to score for the second consecutive game, he recorded an assist in 85 minutes after which he was taken off to be replaced by Giovanni Simeone.

Victor Osimhen of Napoli vs Atalanta

Lookman on the other hand was a surprise exclusion from the Atalanta starting xi, with manager Gian Piero Gasperini opting to start with Duvan Zapata and Rasmus Hojlund up front instead.

Ademola Lookman was a late substitute for Atalanta against Napoli
Ademola Lookman was a late substitute for Atalanta against Napoli

Not only was the Nigerian dropped, he remained on the bench till the 89th minute when he replaced Rafael Toloi with the team already 2-0 down.

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