Serie A : Napoil Manager Gracia Backs Super Eagles Forward After Penalty Miss

Serie A : Napoil Manager Gracia Backs Super Eagles Forward After Penalty Miss 

By Emmanuel Chinedu 

Napoli Manager, Rudi Garcia, has defended Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen, after he missed a penalty in his side’s 0-0 draw at Bologna on Sunday, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Nigerian International had the chance to get back to scoring form when Napoli was awarded a penalty with less than 20 minutes left to play in the game. 

But last season’s Serie A top scorer hit his effort wide off the target.

Prior to missing the penalty Osimhen had struck the inside of the post.

The forward has now gone four consecutive games without scoring with his last goal coming in August. 

He has scored three goals in five games this season.

Reacting to the penalty miss Garcia, in a chat with DAZN, said: “Even the greatest players in the history of football miss penalties.”

The tension is also visibly growing within the Napoli camp, as the fans jeered Garcia’s decision to substitute Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen.

Osimhen openly protested the call and shouting angrily at his coach that he wanted two strikers on the field rather than making way for Giovanni Simeone.

But Garcia stated he had a discussed with Osimhen concerning his reaction after being replaced.

“As for when he went off, we talked about that, what I say to my players remains in the locker room.”

It has been a dismal start to the season for the Partenopei, who are seven points adrift of leaders Inter after just five games played.

The last time Napoli had eight points or fewer by the end of Week 5 was six points in the 2015/16 season.