Three Napoli players were in action on Monday: Victor Osimhen, Piotr Zielinski and Eljif Elmas. Bartosz Bereszyński was not in the Poland squad as he continues to recover from an injury sustained in training.
Back On Top
Victor Osimhen played the full 90 minutes in Nigeria’s AFCON qualifier against Guinea Bissau, lined up as one of the two strikers in Jose Peseiro’s 4-4-2 formation. Nigeria won 0-1 on a goal from the penalty spot, converted by Moses Simon. Though Osimhen was kept off the score sheet for the second time in four days by Guinea Bissau, the Napoli striker was a constant threat in attack.
Midway through the half, Osimhen tracked back to win the ball in Guinea Bissau territory before Samuel Chukwueze slipped a through ball back to Osimhen in the area. The Nigeria front-man pulled himself wide with his first touch before slicing a shot wide of the mark. Nigeria had another opportunity in the 37th minute but Chukwueze elected to shoot rather than pass to a wide open Osimhen.
Osimhen’s best chance came just before the hour mark, after Zaidu Sanusi played a low ball into the area. Terem Moffi got a touch on the ball before it fell to Osimhen with his back to goal. The striker quickly turned and shot towards the far post, but the ball hit the upright and stayed out.
Osimhen had a few difficult chances late in the match, which he failed to convert. To make matters worse, in stoppage time two fans got onto the pitch and appeared to get themselves tangled up with Osimhen and the security staff near the touch line. Fortunately, the. Napoli star walked away unharmed and seemingly unfazed. In the end, it was a comfortable win for the visitors, who assumed the top position in AFCON Group A with two qualification matches remaining.
Tale of Two Halves
Piotr Zielinski played the full 90 minutes in Poland’s 1-0 victory over Albania, captained by ex-Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj. Unlike against the Czech Republic, Zielinski lined up in the centre of the midfield four in Fernando Santos’ 4-4-2 formation. As a result, Zielinski played much deeper and was far more involved in the buildup.
The Napoli midfielder was involved in the only goal of the match, taking the free kick after Karol Zwiderski was fouled in a dangerous area. Zielinski’s cross was cleared to Jakub Kuminski at the edge of the area. His curling effort crashed off the upright, but Zwiderski was waiting on the doorstep to put home the rebound.
After Poland dominated the first half, Albania responded well and created numerous quality chances in the second half. Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny made three important saves before Myrto Uzuni struck the upright late in the match.
With the win, Poland moved to second in Group E, one point behind the Czech Republic.
Off the Bench
Eljif Elmas played 35 minutes in North Macedonia’s 1-0 friendly victory over the Faroe Islands, replacing Milan Ristovski in the second half. The Napoli midfielder was immediately involved in the attack, teeing up Jani Atanasov for a shot that sailed over the bar.
Elmas had North Macedonia’s best chance in the 79th minute after Bojan Miovski played the ball over the top. Elmas did well to take it down and was clear on goal, but Bárður á Reynatrøð challenged and made the save. However, only minutes later Miovski fired a shot into the bottom corner to secure the victory for the home side.
Bonus Coverage
Giuseppe Ambrosino, owned by Napoli but currently on loan at Cittadella, played as one of the two strikers in Carmine Nunziata’s 4-3-1-2 formation and scored Italy’s lone goal in the 1-1 draw against Germany.
