Three Napoli players were in action on Thursday: Leo Østigård, Piotr Zielinski and Jesper Lindstrøm.
Friendly Beat-Down
Leo Østigård played the full 90 minutes in Norway’s 6-0 friendly victory over Jordan. Østigård was active in the opening minutes, winning a tackle near the touchline, making an important block and rising up to win an aerial duel. With Norway dominating the match, the central defender had very little defending to do and often found himself in the opposition half, even joining the attack. Østigård nearly scored from a corner kick in the 63rd minute, with Norway already leading 4-0. The Napoli defender won a powerful header at the first post, but Jordanian goalkeeper Yazeed Abu Laila reacted quickly and pushed the shot aside.
Impressive Zielinski
Piotr Zielinski played the full 90 minutes in Poland’s 2-0 victory over the Faroe Islands in UEFA Euro 2024 Group E Qualifying. Though he lined up as a No. 10 in Poland’s 4-1-3-2 formation, the Napoli midfielder often dropped to quarterback the Poland attack. Zielinski nearly opened the scoring just past the half hour mark, after a long give-and-go with Robert Lewandowski, but goalkeeper Mattias Lamhauge did well to block the lob. Though the assistant’s flag went up, the replay appeared to show that Zielinski was onside. The Napoli veteran came close again two minutes later, after former Napoli teammate Bartosz Bereszyński picked him out with a cross towards the penalty spot. Zielinski did well to direct his header towards the bottom corner, but once again Lamhauge was up to the task, stretching to push the ball out for a corner kick.
After nearly opening the scoring in the first half, Zielinski nearly assisted the opening goal in the second half. In the 51st minute, the midfielder’s outswinging corner kick found Robert Lewandowski at the first post, but the Barcelona striker’s header crashed off the bar and stayed out. Moments later, the Napoli number 20 picked out Lewandowski for Poland’s best chance of the match, but the striker’s first touch was poor, setting up a blocked shot. Zielinski persisted, continuing to look for Lewandowski. Midway through the half he played Lewandowski clear on goal, but the Poland No. 9 was chased down by three Faroe Islands players and he failed to get a shot off.
Both players continued to push forward and were eventually awarded for their efforts. In the 70th minute, Zielinski’s headed flick caught the outstretched arm of Odmar Faero in the area. Lewandowski stepped up and converted the penalty kick to give Poland the lead. Though Poland were comfortably in control of the match, Zielinski worked until the final whistle, stinging the palms of Lamhauge in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Exciting Jesper
Jesper Lindstrøm played 72 minutes in Denmark’s 4-0 victory over San Marino in UEFA Euro 2024 Group H Qualifying. Napoli’s newest signing was eager to showcase his quick feet, lined up on the left wing in Denmark’s 4-3-3 formation. Those quick feet earned the Danes a penalty kick in the 18th minute, or so they thought. A quick VAR review showed that there was very little contact on Lindstrøm and the decision was reversed.
The 23-year-old continued to flash his skills in the buildup to Denmark’s third goal, playing a clever back-heel flick to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. The midfielder cut the ball ball to Christian Eriksen, whose shot was redirected into the back of the goal by Jonas Wind. Lindstrøm nearly scored Denmark’s fourth goal five minutes after the restart. The left winger chased down a risky San Marino switch in the middle of the park, cut in on his preferred right boot and let fly. However, the shot from the edge of the area was always rising and finished over the bar. In the 2nd minute, Lindstrøm was replaced by Nicolai Vallys, who made his Denmark debut.
