Tag: Scudetto

  • Serie A: Osimhen misses penalty kick, scores another in Napoli win

    Serie A: Osimhen misses penalty kick, scores another in Napoli win

    Victor Osimhen saw one penalty kick saved before scoring another as Napoli marked their Scudetto celebrations with a 1-0 win against Fiorentina amid a carnival atmosphere.

    Having ended a 33-year wait to win the Serie A on Thursday, Luciano Spalletti’s men were greeted by a jubilant crowd at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

    But two much-changed line-ups made for a low-key opening.

    Osimhen thought he had missed the Partenopei’s best chance for victory when he had a second-half penalty kick saved by Pietro Terracciano.

    But a foul on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave him the chance to atone.

    Serie A’s top goalscorer hammered home at the second time of asking, ensuring Napoli’s long-awaited Scudetto party was capped with three points on Sunday.

    Fiorentina gave Napoli a pre-match guard of honour, but they were determined not to extend similar levels of hospitality after kick-off, Luka Jovic heading narrowly over early on.

    Eljif Elmas shot wide as Napoli —- who started with Kvaratskhelia and Stanislav Lobotka on the bench —– were slow to click into gear.

    Jovic went close again when his deft header was turned away by Pierluigi Gollini, before Osimhen fired into the side netting from a tight angle as half-time approached.

    Both Kvaratskhelia and Lobotka were introduced as Napoli looked to step things up.

    The latter had an immediate impact when he tempted Sofyan Amrabat into a clumsy foul after the restart, handing Osimhen his first penalty kick.

    Osimhen was denied on this occasion as Terracciano pushed his effort around the left-hand post.

    But he was to get another chance with 16 minutes left.

    Nicolas Gonzalez tripped Kvaratskhelia as he darted into the area and Osimhen made no mistake second time around, blasting into the roof of the net.

    Christian Kouame missed Fiorentina’s best chance to level when he lifted over late on, ensuring the champions clung on.

  • Serie A: Osimhen scoops January player of the month Award

    Serie A: Osimhen scoops January player of the month Award

    Super Eagles Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen has scooped the Scudetto player of the month of January, 2023.

    Osimhen’s heroics for Napoli in the past weeks is unprecedented, scoring five goals and providing one assist in four matches for Napoli in the Serie A.

    Osimhen scored highest number of votes to beat countryman Ademola Lookman and host of others.

    The striker previously scooped the Serie A Goal of the Month award.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Osimhen was previously nominated for the award in October and November but lost out to Juventus forward, Moise Kean and AC Milan winger, Rafael Leao.

    The 24-year-old beat compatriot Ademola Lookman, Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, Roma forward, Paulo Dybala and Lazio midfielder, Luis Alberto to the individual honour.

    The Nigeria international is third the Napoli player to have won the award in the last five months.

    Osimhen will be presented the award during the pre-match of Napoli versus Cremonese at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday.

    The Nigerian striker is also in the running to win the Scudetto’s golden ball award after scoring 16 goals in 17 games to top the Serie scorer’s chart.

     

     

     

  • Inter Milan hand Serie A title rivals further impetus

    Inter Milan hand Serie A title rivals further impetus

    Inter Milan’s hopes of a second straight Scudetto took another hit as they were held 1-1 by Fiorentina in Milan.

    The reigning Serie A champions have now won just two of their past nine league matches after their stuttering form continued on Saturday.

    Coach Simone Inzaghi had suggested Inter Milan have deserved more from recent performances.

    But he may struggle to argue his case following a match in which Fiorentina initially lacked cutting edge but merited their lead through Lucas Torreira.

    Although Denzel Dumfries soon responded with a leveller, it was not followed by a winner.

    It means Inter Milan have taken just four points from their past four games at San Siro.

    The Nerazzurri knew they needed a result after Napoli’s win earlier in the day, yet they were on the back foot until late in the first half.

    That was when Pietro Terracciano had to be sharp off his line to block from Edin Dzeko.

    Terracciano was grateful for an offside flag against Lautaro Martinez after Dumfries’ deflected shot gave the forward a simple finish.

    An incisive move early in the second half saw Fiorentina in front instead.

    Gaetano Castrovilli fizzed a pass into the feet of Nico Gonzalez, who skipped past Ivan Perisic and squared for Torreira to score his second goal in as many matches.

    Inter Milan were behind for just over five minutes before Perisic floated a cross towards the back post, where Dumfries arrived to nod in.

    A penalty kick awarded in Martinez’s favour was overturned following a VAR check as the hosts were frustrated again.

    Inter Milan ultimately needed Samir Handanovic to produce a vital stoppage-time save from Jonathan Ikone to preserve a point.