‘Giant player’ Victor Osimhen gives draw and new hope to Napoli Barca. football news

Victor Osimhen was described as “a massive player” after scoring the comeback goal for Napoli to give the Italian champions a 1–1 draw with Barcelona and hopes that a dreadful season could turn to a turning point. Must have reached. Nigeria forward Osimhen equalized with 15 minutes remaining in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in his first match since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. The 25-year-old equalized Robert Lewandowski’s opener in the 60th minute, which was likely to be the decisive goal as Barca were the better team for long periods, with Napoli’s first and only shot.

“He is a huge player for us,” Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo told Amazon Prime Video.

“He has come back with the right attitude. We knew he would do that because he is a great player and professional. He will support us in the coming matches.”

Osimhen last played for Napoli in a 2–0 defeat at Roma just before Christmas, when he was one of two players to be sent off from his side.

His ninth club goal of the season came at a crucial time, not only in the match but also in Napoli’s campaign as they were playing under their third manager of the season in Francesco Calzona, with their league title defense in flames.

Calzona had less than 48 hours to prepare for his first match in charge after replacing Walter Mazzarri on Monday night and Osimhen gave Napoli the chance to progress despite his team’s unconvincing performance.

Napoli head into next month’s second leg in the Catalan capital knowing that with Osimhen in the team there is always a chance of scoring goals regardless of the team’s overall performance.

“This is a good starting point,” Di Lorenzo said.

“We know we need to do more but we’ve taken a step forward and now we have a chance in the return leg. It’s all to play for.”

osiemhen saved napoli

Meanwhile for Barca it was the latest misstep in a complex campaign that could end with coach Xavi leaving, assuming president Joan Laporta does not fire the coach before then.

The opposing team had better chances but could not overcome Napoli and still had to bear the brunt of its destruction.

“We are a little disappointed with the result because we could have won,” Ronald Araújo told Movistar.

“Napoli had a lot of the ball in the last 15 minutes but they barely created any chances. That’s how the Champions League is.”

Barça showed why they were pre-match favorites in the opening exchanges, dominating the ball and creating shooting opportunities to silence the boisterous crowd early on.

Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal came close to becoming the Champions League’s youngest-ever scorer when his ninth-minute effort was saved by Alex Meret.

In the 23rd minute, the away team twice came close to taking the lead, with Lewandowski’s flick finish kept out by Meret and then Ilkay Gundogan’s long-range rocket was fired home.

From that point on, Napoli’s presence in the game increased, but the hosts failed to muster a single attempt on goal before the break, despite pushing their opponents back.

Gundogan forced another smart save from Meret shortly after the restart, which Yamal put on before wasting another presentable chance.

Barça then got the lead they deserved when Lewandowski received Pedri’s pass and fired a perfect low finish past Meret.

As the away team looked to extend their advantage, Osimhen pounced on Inigo Martínez’s slip on the edge of the area to level the score and change the atmosphere in the stadium.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and substitute Giovanni Simeone both had efforts off target, putting the home side behind, but it was Barça who came inches away from securing a late victory.

Gundogan’s disappointing night in front of goal continued into stoppage time as his low effort went wide.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)