Victor Osimhen: Barcelona defender Araujo shares his ‘bitter feeling’ about Napoli star’s goal

The Super Eagles forward came to the rescue of the Scudetto winners, rescuing a draw from the jaws of defeat

Barcelona defender Ronald Federico Araujo has expressed his bitterness at allowing Victor Osimhen to equalise for Napoli in their UEFA Champions League clash on Wednesday, Soccernet.ng reports.

Osimhen started his first game for Napoli against the Catalans after returning from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped Nigeria win the silver medal.

Still, Barcelona dominated proceedings against a struggling Napoli side that had only won one of their last five games in all competitions.

The Spanish champions took the lead in the 60th minute, courtesy of a fine Robert Lewandowski strike.

They looked to be heading towards their second win in as many games against Napoli at the Diego Maradona Stadium. Barcelona won 2-4 at the same venue in 2022 when both teams met in the Europa League.

However, Osimhen rose to the occasion, turning his marker before crashing a first-time shot past goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.

Still, Uruguayan star Araujo is displeased that Osimhen’s goal robbed Barcelona of a deserving victory.

“We were doing an excellent defensive job, but Osimhen took advantage of the only opportunity he had,” the 24-year-old Araujo said, as per Tutto Napoli.

“We are sorry for this goal conceded, but we proved that we are an excellent team. Maybe we just failed to maintain possession in certain moments of the match race.

“We leave with a bitter feeling because we really believed in victory.”

Osimhen has two goals and one assist in five Champions League games this term.