Osimhen returned to the starting eleven and made his impact felt, but Napoli were undone by their inability to take their opportunities
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen scored for Napoli, but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s penalty miss proved costly as the 1-1 result ensured that AC Milan qualified for the semifinal of the UEFA Champions League at the Partenopeans’ expense.
Soccernet.ng reports that Osimhen missed the first leg of Napoli’s crunch Champions League quarterfinal tie against AC Milan, and his impact was felt. The Partenopeans registered 15 shots, but none was accurate to trouble the goalkeeper.
However, Osimhen returned for the second leg at the Diego Maradona Stadium, and there was a lot of positivity that he would help Napoli come back from the one-goal deficit and claim victory.
The Kvaratskhelia-Osimhen partnership has paid consistently paid off this season, but it did not function properly against AC Milan.
The Georgian hitman was selfish on the night and often opted to go solo rather than play with his Nigerian partner.
Osimhen got some early looks, but none was clear-cut. Nonetheless, the Partenopeans were the better side for most embers of the first half. Unfortunately for them, AC Milan won a penalty in the 22nd minute. Mario Rui was penalized for a poor tackle in the box. But Olivier Giroud was unable to convert from the spot as Alex Meret saved his spot-kick.
It was a huge let-off for Napoli, but they eventually conceded before halftime. Rafael Leao linked up well with Giroud who tucked the ball into the net neatly.
Osimhen nearly drew level for Napoli in stoppage time, but his goal was ruled out for handball.
Napoli controlled the second half just like they did the first. AC Milan just sat back, hoping to catch them on the counter.
Osimhen was always running and fighting hard for the ball. He did not get any opportunity in the early embers for the close marking he got from the AC Milan defenders.
Napoli pushed hard for an equalizer, and it looked like AC Milan would sneak out with the win. However, Napoli won a penalty in the 79th minute. As always, Osimhen refused to play it and gave the responsibility to Kvaratskhelia.
Unfortunately, the Georgian’s penalty was saved by Mike Maignan. Napoli did not stop asking questions, and they nearly got their goal before 90 minutes, hit Fikayo Tomori’s follow-up header cleared Osimhen’s shot.
But the Nigerian could not be denied. Three minutes into stoppage time, Osimhen pounced on a cross from Giacomo Raspadori and produced a fine header that strolled into the net to make it 1-1.
Napoli tried to get a second, but it was way too late for them to conjure anything. AC Milan won the tie 2-1 on aggregate and they await the winner of Benfica and Inter Milan on Wednesday.
