Barcelona to face Victor Osimhen’s fury

The Catalans trade tackles with the Neapolitans in Europe’s second-tier club competition, with the Nigerian international rearing to go

Victor Osimhen will lead Napoli’s attack to the Camp Nou to battle Barcelona on Thursday in the first knockout round of the UEFA Europa League.

Barcelona enter the Europa League for the first time in their history after getting knocked out of the Champions League in December.

However, with manager Xavi Hernandez having steadied the ship, the Spaniards for this contest arrive in pretty decent form, unbeaten over 90 minutes in 11 games.

But that momentum will be put to the test when Osimhen’s Napoli touch down on Camp Nou for this tasty clash.

After a mid-season slump, Luciano Spalletti’s men have rediscovered their groove and are back playing some good football. The results have followed suit, with Il Partenopei unbeaten over 90 minutes in seven games.

They also boast a decent attack that has scored in nine successive matches on the road, powering the Italian side to three wins of the last five.

Osimhen, though, remains Napoli’s most potent attacker. The Super Eagles striker is the only player to have hit double digits for the club this season, with four of his ten goals coming in the Europa League.

Osimhen’s four strikes in just three appearances across 168 minutes make him the striker with the best goal average in the competition.

The 23-year-old struck twice against Leicester City and found the net against Spartak Moscow and Legia Warsaw and will be Barcelona’s biggest threat after the whistle goes off on Thursday evening.

In Osimhen’s first start since his return from a cheekbone injury, the Nigerian international scored in Napoli’s 2-0 win at Venezia. He then won the penalty that gave Il Partenopei the lead in their 1-1 draw against Inter Milan at the weekend.

Barcelona will be favourites to grab a first-leg win in this tie, but with Osimhen in their ranks, Napoli will fancy their chances against the Catalans.