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Sports News of Monday, 23 August 2021

Source: soccernet.ng

Serie A: Bad start to the season for Osimhen as he sees red in Napoli's clash against Venezia

Victor Osimhen Victor Osimhen

The Super Eagles striker’s Serie A season got off to the worst possible start after he saw red less than 30 minutes into Napoli’s opening match of the campaign, but luckily, it did not cost the Neapolitans the win

Victor Osimhen will want to forget this day as soon as possible after he received a red card in Napoli’s opening Serie A clash against Venezia on Sunday evening.

Expectations were high going into the season for the 22-year-old Nigerian striker following an excellent pre-season campaign which saw him score eight goals in five pre-season.

Osimhen was also hoping to write off the disappointment of last season, which saw him missed three months of action due to a shoulder injury and coronavirus.

However, the new campaign got off on a sad note for him as he received a straight red card in the 23rd minute for shoving Daan Heymans as they challenged as Napoli corner is played into the box.

Although on replay, it’s a harsh red card, the referee considered it to be violent conduct. The dismissal means he will miss the clash against Genoa next week and possibly the big match against Juventus after the international break.

But despite his dismissal, Napoli went ahead to win the match 2-0 thanks to goals from Lorenzo Insigne and Eljif Elmas.

Insigne first had the opportunity to put Luciano Spalletti’s men ahead in the 57th minute after they were awarded a penalty.

But he fluffed his lines, missing from 18-yards. However, the Neapolitans were awarded another penalty five minutes later, and this time, Insigne redeemed himself by converting the spot-kick.

Meanwhile, Venezia, who handed Tyronne Ebuehi his debut following his loan move from Benfica, almost got an equaliser through Francesco Forte, who fired a shot against the upright.

They would later rue the missed opportunity as Elmas strike in the 72nd minute ensured Spalletti’s reign as Napoli’s coach got off to a winning start.