Nigeria international and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen accidentally gifted Atalanta the opener, but turned it around with a goal and assist for Eljif Elmas, as Napoli fight back to win this top-of-the-table showdown and go eight points clear on Saturday.
This was a clash between the leaders and the side in second place, who between them had only one Serie A defeat all season. Both had to make changes, as Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Amir Rrahmani didn’t make the trip, while Luis Muriel and Davide Zappacosta were injured. The Partenopei saw their run of 13 consecutive victories in all competitions halted by Liverpool in the Champions League midweek, though they still topped the group.
The hosts had the first chance on three minutes when Ademola Lookman rolled across from the left for Rasmus Hojlund, forcing a save one-on-one from Alex Meret.
A corner wreaked absolute havoc including a Victor Osimhen handball before Hojland and Merih Demiral attempts were charged down. VAR intervened and Lookman converted the penalty with a ferocious strike into the near top corner.
However, Osimhen quickly made up for his mistake by drawing Napoli level, as he was allowed a free header on a Piotr Zielinski floated cross from a short corner.
Napoli turned it around completely as Osimhen broke away from Merih Demiral down the right and pulled it back for Eljif Elmas to take a touch and score from 10 yards.
Meanwhile, Osimhen has scored 32 goals in the Italian Serie A for Napoli to become Nigeria’s most prolific goal scorer in Italy breaking the record held by Simeon ‘Simy’ Nwankwo.
Former Inter Milan striker, Obafemi Martins bagged 28 goals, former Atalanta man Stephen Makinwa (16 goals), and ex-Chievo Verona forward Victor Nsofor (14).
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
