After a few weeks of waiting as teams went through the normal pre season build up process, fans of the Italian Serie A game finally got to see their teams in domestic action in Saturday’s big 2023/24 kick off, and reining Serie A champions Napoli saw themselves get off to the almost perfect start.
Making the trip to the Stadio Benito Stirpe to face last season’s Serie B champions, Frosinone, they did actually have the worst possible start as Jens Cajuste conceded an early penalty and the hosts capitalised to take the advantage.
But it did not take long for them to gain the equaliser, and with 26 goals to his name in 2022/23 as Napoli lifted their first league title since 1990, top striker Victor Osimhen proved exactly why several of Europe’s biggest sides had been after his services this summer transfer window, as in the 43rd minute of the first half he crashed in an effort from the underside of the bar to take them into the half time break 2-1 up, and then with eleven minutes remaining on the clock, he beat their offside trap to give them an opening day 3-1 win on their travels.
Speaking to the media following the victory, the 24 year old talent was full of praise for his team mates and he said.
“It was important to start well, congratulation to the team. The opponent gave us a hard time, they are a good side. We have a great squad, and I am happy with this win. I’m happy I scored two goals, we must keep this momentum.”
With manager Rudi Garcia having heaped praise on the player throughout the summer for his performances in their last campaign, even going so far recently as to liken the Nigerian international striker to Portuguese legend, Cristiano Ronaldo, Osimhen was obviously delighted with the plaudits going his way.
“What can I say? It’s important for the coach to believe in me, it’s also important to repay the trust on the pitch. Everyone’s the leader, we have to take responsibility. We have Di Lorenzo, the captain, Mario Rui, Meret. As I said, we are one group. We want to keep on improving.”
With Frosinone and the first three points of the year behind the club, they will be looking to make it six points from an available six with back to back victories, when they welcome Sassuolo to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this coming Sunday.
