Piotr Zielinski scored a penalty kick, Victor Osimhen remained focused on the pitch, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia score his first since March and Giovanni Simeone opened his 2023/24 account in Napoli’s 4-1 victory over Udinese on Wednesday. Here are three takeaways selected by Forza Napoli Press.
What Happens Off the Pitch, Stays Off the Pitch
Victor Osimhen was doubtful for the Udinese match after the TikTok controversy boiled over only a day prior. Not only was Osimhen included in the squad, the Napoli No. 9 started the match against Udinese and scored Napoli’s second goal. After quick passes from Stanislav Lobotka and Matteo Politano in the middle of the park, Osimhen calmly controlled the ball before slotting it into the bottom corner at the far post.
Though his goal celebration was muted, Osimhen showed no signs of being bothered by the off-the-field drama. The reigning capocannoniere was as motivated and hungry for goals as ever. Unlike the Genoa match, Osimhen did not dispute Rudi Garcia’s decision to replace him with Giovanni Simeone in the 63rd minute. In fact, he shook the manager’s hand before taking a place on the bench, knowing the early substitution will allow him to play from the first minute on Saturday against Saturday.
After a lengthy delay, SSC Napoli addressed the matter via a press release posted on Thursday.
“Calcio Napoli, in order to avoid any exploitation on the topic, specifies that it never intended to offend or make fun of Victor Osimhen, the club’s technical asset.
To demonstrate this, during the summer training camp, the Club firmly rejected every offer received for the attacker’s transfer abroad.
It represents a fact of common experience that on social media, in particular on TikTok, expressive language has always been created with lightness and creativity, without having had, in the case involving Osimhen, any intention of mockery or derision.
However, if Victor had perceived any offense towards him, this was foreign to any will of the company.”
Throwback
For the first time this season, Napoli bore a resemblance to the squad that dominated Serie A en route to their first Scudetto in 33 years. The ball moved quickly in the midfield as Stanislav Lobotka and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa exploited the space to create patterns of play. Napoli retained 72% of the ball in the first half and 66% in the second half.
Speaking to DAZN after the match, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia confirmed that the players and Garcia discussed returning to a certain style of play.
“After the success against Sassuolo, we spoke to each other as well as with the coach. We understood that it was important to go back to playing in this way.”
Kvaratskhelia was the standout player of the match, reminding everyone why he was the recipient of the Most Valuable Player Award last season. The Georgian won a penalty kick for the second consecutive match, stepping in front of Festy Ebosele to draw the foul. Kvaratskhelia, who struck the upright on either side of the break, was determined to score his first goal since the 19th of March, 2023. That goal came in the 74th minute. The 22-year-old pressed higher, quickly closing down Jaka Bijol before intercepting his pass. With only Marco Silvestri to beat, Kvaratskhelia dinked the ball over the keeper before tapping it into the empty goal. Kvara topped off the with an assist, dribbling past a defender before crossing to Giovanni Simeone, who scored his first goal of the season.
Domi-Natan
With Amir Rrahmani and Juan Jesus recovering from their respective thigh muscle injuries. Leo Østigård and Natan started at centre back for the second consecutive match. The pairing performed well in their full season debuts, but were hardly tested by a Bologna side who set up in a low block, intending to frustrate Napoli.
Udinese presented a greater attacking threat, but Østigård and Natan performed equally well. The Brazilian showed great composure on the ball, often electing to play safe short passes rather than risky long balls. Playing alongside a very active Mario Rui, who had his best match of the season, Natan still had very little to do. However, the 22-year-old was very reliable when called upon.
