Striker Victor Osimhen was given a red card in Napoli’s 1 – 0 victory over Spanish side Real Sociedad in Thursday’s Europa League clash.
The Nigerian talisman, who transferred to the Serie A outfit from French club Lille, was sent off by referee Craig Pawson in the third minute of added time for a second warning.
⏱ 90+2 | @victorosimhen9 is shown a second yellow card and we are down to 10 men for the final few minutes#RealSociedadNapoli 0-1
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) October 29, 2020
After substituting Italian forward Andrea Petagna in the 61st minute, Osimhen was given a yellow card in the 81st minute before he was given his marching orders 12 minutes later after elbowing Robin Le Normand while trying to control David Ospina’s goal kick.
That was the first time the striker who turns 22 years old on December 29 was sent off since he moved to Europe in 2017. He is expected to miss the Blues’ trip to Stadion Kantrida for a date with HNK Rijeka on November 5.
After losing their first game against AZ Almaar, Gennaro Gattuso’s men returned to winning ways thanks to Matteo Politano’s 56th-minute strike.
READ ALSO: Desmond Elliot backtracks, apologizes for calling Nigerian youths “Children”
Thanks to that result, they are third in Group F with three points from two outings.
“It was not an easy success at all but we deserved it,” Gattuso told the club website after the game.
“Tonight, we played 50% of the qualifying chances in the group. I liked the team so much tactically, we faced a team that especially on its field is very strong and we managed to keep great intensity.
“We could probably have done better in terms of quality, but in general I am proud of my boys and this group because it always shows me attachment and character.
“Despite the many changes we played a race at a high pace, always with attention and balance. That means I have an important foundation to work on.
“I just know that if we go on like this, we have a lot of room to be able to achieve our goals and then, maybe, look even further.”
Napoli will return to domestic league action when they welcome Sassuolo to Stadio San Paolo on Sunday.
They occupy the second spot in the log having accrued 11 points from five games – two points behind leaders AC Milan.
Leave a Reply