Milan vs Napoli: All You Should Know About Victor Osimhen’s Absence 

AC Milan will be playing the first leg of the UEFA Champions Quarter-final against Napoli by 8 pm tonight. This comes as Napoli struggles to make fans and supporters believe that they can perform better in Victor Osimhen’s absence.

The match which will take place at the San Siro in Milan will see Milan bring back their first team stars. Reports say Rafael Leao, Olivier Giroud and Brahim Diaz are all set to return. As Milan intensifies preparation for the match, Napoli fans are wondering how much harm Oshimhen’s absence will do to the club. Let’s take a look through all you need to know about Osimhen’s absence.

Osimhen’s groin injury

Nigeria Footballer, Osimhen plays as a striker for Italian Serie A side Napoli at the club level. He also plays for the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the international level. He recently sustained an injury when he joined the Super Eagles team to play for Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers against Guinea Bissau. Confirming the development, His club reported that he “complained of pain in his groin and medical tests revealed the injury.” Reports also said he underwent treatment at the club’s training centre in Castel Volturno.

Addressing newsmen earlier, Osimhen said, “It is nothing serious, but I want to take these 10-12 days to rest and recover, I hope to be there, but I have also been told and I am convinced that I will be on the pitch against Milan.” The 24-year-old also assured a Napoli supporter, David Ruggiero that the “injury is a small thing.” The injury has however hindered Osimhen from joining Napoli who leads the Serie A top-flight with 71 points, 23 points ahead of AC Milan.

His absence in Napoli’s last game against Milan

Osimhen’s absence was felt in Napoli’s last game against Milan as they suffered a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of AC Milan at the Stadio Diego Amando Maradona. Milan secured the victory with goals from Rafael Leao, Brahim Diaz, and Alexis Saelemaekers. Saddened by the news, Napoli fans took to social media to link the defeat to Osimhen’s absence. Some of them claimed that without the Nigerian striker, the club lacks the spark. 

His 21 goals in Serie A have propelled Napoli to the verge of their third Serie A title but the first, since the late Diego Maradona inspired them to the 1990 Scudetto. Also, Osimhen has made five appearances for Napoli in the Champions League this season with four goals to his credit.

Napoli’s first chance at the UEFA Champions League quarter-final stage 

While Milan is a seven-time winner of the Champions League and last won it in 2007, Napoli will be competing in the quarter-finals stage of the competition for the first time. According to reports, tonight’s game will be the third meeting between Milan and Napoli this season. They will also be meeting for the second leg of the quarter-finals on the 18th of April, 2023.

Reports reveal that Osimhen’s team has won 24 games, secured 66 goals and has a better goal difference than any other side in Serie A.

Captain Di Lorenzo is hopeful they’ll cope

Napoli captain, Giovanni Di Lorenzo has expressed the belief that Napoli can cope without their shot-hot forward, Victor Osimhen against AC Milan. Acknowledging that Osimhen is a great player, he said, “We know that Osimhen is a great player and he is very important to us, but we don’t depend only on one player. We have and have full confidence in the available players.”

Lorenzo confirmed that Osimhen will not be available for the match against Milan and added that they will be calm and face Milan with the available players. His statement comes hours after Milan’s defender, Theo Hernandez told newsmen that Osimhen’s absence changes nothing for them. He said, “Napoli has many strong players and whoever replaces him will do well.”