Nigeria International Victor Osimhen scored his 20th goal of the season as Napoli beat 10-man Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, Abbeylivenetwork.com reports.
It was always going to be a tough outing for Eintracht Frankfurt when they welcomed Napoli to the Deutsche Bank Park. With the way Osimhen had been banging in the goals prior to the tie, Die Adler defenders would have to put in an extra shift to stop the Nigerian talisman from scoring.
It finished 2-0 on Tuesday night at the Frankfurt Stadion – Frankfurt am Main, thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen and Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
The Nigeria international was replaced in the closing minutes of Napoli’s Serie A clash against Sassuolo due to fatigue but ended speculation about his availability for the Champions League tie when he was included in the traveling party to Frankfurt.
Osimhen had a strong first half performance as he caused the Eintracht Frankfurt defence all sorts of problems with his pace.
The Super Eagles striker won a penalty for The Parthenopeans but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s kick was saved by Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp in the 36th minute.
The relentless Napoli attacks culminated in Osimhen getting his much awaited goal in the 40th minute.
Max gave the ball away and Mexican forward, Hirving Lozano pounced on it and found Osimhen who bundled the ball into the net at the far post, which took his scoring run to six consecutive matches in all competitions.
Soon after his goal, the Nigerian had the ball in the Europa League holders’ net but this time, the VAR check confirmed that he was offside.
Osimhen further had a chance for a brace but his shot only hit the side net.
Kvaratskheli’a was denied by Trapp in the 56th minute when the German keeper blocked his close range shot with Osimhen calling out for the ball at the far post.
Frankfurt star and France international, Kolo Muani was sent off with a straight red card after he stepped on the ankle of Andre Zambo Anguissa.
Kvaratskhelia provided a cute assist for Di Lorenzo’s goal 65th minute goal who scored with a left-footed finish.
Osimhen was substituted in the 84th minute, few seconds after he went close to grabbing his second of the night from an acute angle.
