Victor Osimhen: Napoli target first UCL home win without Nigerian striker

Italian champions SSC Napoli will kick off the second half of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League, UCL, season without Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.

Napoli will host Union Berlin in search of a first win of the season at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, with Osimhen set to be the notable absentee. 

The 24-year-old has been out of action since the last international break with Nigeria in Portugal.

Osimhen limped out in the thrilling 2-2 draw against Saudi Arabia and has not featured for Napoli since he scored against Fiorentina back on October 8th.

The Nigerian forward picked up a hamstring injury and has missed Napoli’s last four matches across all competitions. 

Nigeria Super Eagles man, who is not expected back until after the international break in November, will miss his fifth consecutive match when Napoli welcome Union Berlin on Wednesday night in the UCL.

Despite being without their main man, Osimhen, Napoli have thrived and looked different. Rudi Garcia, the coach, has seen his side go unbeaten in the last four matches, with three wins and a draw.

Garcia will want to see his Napoli side maintain that level when they take on Berlin in search of their first win in the UCL at home this season. 

In the absence of Osimhen, his teammate, Raspadori, has shone and proved to be a worthy replacement for the Nigerian, with three goals in his last three outings.

His manager, Garcia, says the team has enough quality to see off Union Berlin at home and will be hoping to see his champions deliver when they take to the pitch on Wednesday night. 

Napoli and Union will go head-to-head for the second time ever when they take to the pitch in Naples later tonight.

In the reverse fixture, the Italians overpowered the Germans 1-0, with Raspadori the hero of the day after he netted the only goal of the game.