Victor Osimhen makes the difference for Napoli, former Serie A star declares

Nigeria international Victor Osimhen has received glowing praise from former SS Lazio and Palermo star Salvatore Campilongo following his impact for SSC Napoli at the weekend. 

Osimhen created the decisive winning goal as Napoli defeated Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta on Saturday.

In what was a battle between two of Nigeria’s biggest names at the moment in the Italian league, it was the former Lille man and his visiting teammates who had the last laugh. 

Osimhen had been out of action for club and country for over a month after he picked up an injury during international duty with Nigeria Super Eagles in October.

The 24-year-old was substituted early on in the thrilling 2-2 draw against Asian giants Saudi Arabia in Portugal.

With the Super Eagles man missing, the defending champions suffered a narrow defeat to Tyronne Ebuehi-inspired Empoli the previous weekend, with then-manager Rudi Garcia paying the ultimate price. 

However, Napoli received a boost during the build-up to the match against Lookman’s Atalanta when Osimhen returned to training and was included in the match-day squad. 

The Nigerian forward came off the bench to make his return to action for Napoli after missing no fewer than six matches for the club with Atalanta and Napoli locked at 1-1 following goals by clubmate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and compatriot, Lookman.

Osimhen would make his presence felt in the final ten minutes of the game when he brilliantly intercepted a pass with his outstretched leg to set up Eljif Elmas for the decisive winner. 

The goal helped Napoli return to winning ways, with Osimhen’s impact leaving an impression on Campilongo, who is now the coach at Lamezia Terme. 

“Without him, Elmas never scores that goal,” he stated per Terzotempo Napoli. “He's a striker who makes the difference, one of the best in the world and Napoli absolutely need him.” 

“The team has another weight with him on the pitch, his teammates also feel more serene in throwing long," he added.

Following his assist against Atalanta, the Nigerian has now provided two assists for his teammates this season and scored six goals in just nine outings in the Serie A.

Osimhen and Napoli will switch attention to the Champions League, UCL, where they are visitors to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. He is yet to get off the mark for Napoli in the UCL this season.