Manna Osimhen Out for Integrity of Group

Victor Osimhen‘s injury has left Napoli without their star striker for the Champions League group stages, but the Partenopei can still rely on Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Hirving Lozano to carry the team forward.

Osimhen’s Injury

Victor Osimhen‘s injury has dealt a significant blow to Napoli‘s Champions League campaign. The Nigerian striker was stretchered off the field during the Serie A match against Inter Milan, and subsequent tests revealed a fractured cheekbone and orbital bone.

Osimhen’s absence will undoubtedly be felt in the Champions League group stages, as he has been Napoli‘s top scorer this season with five goals in eight appearances. His physicality and aerial ability have made him a crucial component of Napoli‘s attack, and his absence will require adjustments from coach Luciano Spalletti.

Di Lorenzo and Lozano to Step Up

While Osimhen’s injury is a setback, Napoli can still rely on Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Hirving Lozano to carry the team forward. Di Lorenzo has been one of Napoli‘s most consistent performers this season, providing width and delivering crosses into the box that Osimhen often converts into goals.

Lozano, on the other hand, has shown glimpses of his quality since joining Napoli from PSV Eindhoven in 2019. The Mexican winger has four goals and three assists in 10 appearances this season, and his pace and skill on the wing could be crucial in creating scoring opportunities for Napoli.

Other Options

Aside from Di Lorenzo and Lozano, Napoli have other options to fill the void left by Osimhen. Andrea Petagna has been used sparingly this season but has shown his ability to score important goals, including the winner against Juventus last season. The Italian striker could start alongside Dries Mertens, who has struggled to find consistency this season but remains a threat in front of goal.

Another option could be Lorenzo Insigne, who has been used as a false nine by Spalletti in the past. The Italian winger has been Napoli‘s top scorer in recent seasons and could drop deeper to create space for other attackers.

Conclusion

Victor Osimhen‘s injury is a significant blow to Napoli‘s Champions League campaign, but the Partenopei have enough quality in their squad to adapt and overcome his absence. Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Hirving Lozano will be key players in the group stages, while other options like Andrea Petagna and Lorenzo Insigne could also contribute to Napoli‘s attack.

With Osimhen out, Napoli will need to rely on their team spirit and collective effort to navigate the Champions League group stages. The Partenopei have shown their resilience in the past, and they will need to do so again to make it to the knockout stages of the competition.