Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen was on the scoresheet once more as Serie A leaders Napoli defeated 10-man Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in their Round of 16 tie at the Deutsche Bank Park.
Huge away win for Napoli 🔵#UCL pic.twitter.com/GRLXth67YO
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 21, 2023
Frankfurt started the game brightly with lots of controlled possession, troubling Napoli’s defence, but goalkeeper Alex Meret was up to the task.
The Partenopei settled into the tie and eventually got a penalty through the relentless workrate of Osimhen. The Nigerian was brought down in the box by Aurelio Buta after Hirving Lozano’s strike had hit the post.
Georgian forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia stepped up to take the spot kick but could not put the ball past Kevin Trapp, who got a strong hand on it.
Napoli would not be denied a second time, as Osimhen put the Italians ahead in the 40th minute by bundling home a low cross from Lozano.
THIS GUY. #UCL pic.twitter.com/n3PUIOQBnb
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 21, 2023
The 24-year-old and the Mexican [Lozano] thought they had combined again to double Napoli’s lead shortly after, but the latter was ruled offside.
The second half began with Luciano Spaletti’s side dominating possession, with Kvaratskhelia put through on goal, but Trapp denied him once more.
Frankfurt’s leading scorer, Randal Kolo Muani, was sent off for a rash tackle on Cameroonian midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa in the 58th minute. The Frenchman catches Anguissa on the foot after overrunning the ball.
Napoli finally got their deserved second goal seven minutes later through Giovanni Di Lorenzo. The Skipper swept a cheeky backheel pass from Kvaratskhelia into the far bottom corner with his left foot.
Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia were replaced by Giovanni Simeone and Matteo Politano in the 84th minute, to a large applause from the travelling Napoli fans.
The Nigerian’s goal was his 20th of the season and his second in four games in the UEFA Champions League this season. It also meant that he had now scored in eight consecutive starts for the Partenopei.
The victory was Napoli’s first away win in the Champions League knockout rounds, having lost their previous three games.
Victor Osimhen scores on his 𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗛 consecutive Napoli start.
20 goals this season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SUGmf97DBf
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) February 21, 2023
