Napoli target first UCL home win in absence of Nigerian striker,  Victor Osimhen

Raspadori has delivered for SSC Napoli in the absence of Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and will lead the line against Union Berlin.

Italian champions SSC Napoli will kick off the second half of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League, UCL, season without Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.

Napoli will host Union Berlin in search of a first win of the season at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, with Osimhen set to be the notable absentee.

Osimhen out for Napoli
The 24-year-old has been out of action since the last international break with Nigeria in Portugal.

Osimhen limped out in the thrilling 2-2 draw against Saudi Arabia and has not featured for Napoli since he scored against Fiorentina back on October 8th.

Victor Osimhen in action for Napoli || Credit: Imago
The Nigerian forward picked up a hamstring injury and has missed Napoli’s last four matches across all competitions.

Nigeria Super Eagles man, who is not expected back until after the international break in November, will miss his fifth consecutive match when Napoli welcome Union Berlin on Wednesday night in the UCL.

Victor Osimhen in action against Saudi Arabia || Credit: X
Napoli eye win against Union Berlin

Despite being without their main man, Osimhen, Napoli have thrived and looked different. Rudi Garcia, the coach, has seen his side go unbeaten in the last four matches, with three wins and a draw.

Garcia will want to see his Napoli side maintain that level when they take on Berlin in search of their first win in the UCL at home this season.

Napoli will hope to seal a first win at home without Osimhen. (Photo Credit: Imago)
In the absence of Osimhen, his teammate, Raspadori, has shone and proved to be a worthy replacement for the Nigerian, with three goals in his last three outings.

His manager, Garcia, says the team has enough quality to see off Union Berlin at home and will be hoping to see his champions deliver when they take to the pitch on Wednesday night.

Raspadori has been impressive in Osimhen’s absence for Napoli. (Photo Credit: UEFA.com)

“I have a lot of quality on the bench: fresh people who can improve the team or keep it at the same level,” Napoli manager Garcia said in his pre-match press conference according to the UEFA website.

“If someone comes off the bench and scores a lot, it shows that we have strong resources,” he added.

Napoli manager, Rudi Garcia, says he has enough quality to play without Osimhen. (Photo Credit: UEFA.com‘

Napoli and Union will go head-to-head for the second time ever when they take to the pitch in Naples later tonight.

In the reverse fixture, the Italians overpowered the Germans 1-0, with Raspadori the hero of the day after he netted the only goal of the game.

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