October 17, (THEWILL) – Napoli beat Torino 1-0 on Sunday, returning to the top of the Serie A table and recording their eighth win in eight league games. Their most consistent player and forward, Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, scored the game’s only goal in the 81st minute.
With their perfect record of 24 points, Luciano Spalletti’s side is two points ahead of second-placed AC Milan and the only side in Europe’s top five leagues with a 100 percent record after eight games.
Yet, it was no walk in the park for the hosts as they faced a difficult task in trying to breach the Torino backline.
When Benjamin Kone brought down Giovanni Di Lorenzo in the box after 27 minutes, Napoli had a golden chance to take the lead, but Lorenzo Insigne’s penalty was tame and easily saved by Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. It was the winger’s third missed penalty kick in five tries this season, giving him the worst record in Europe’s top five leagues.
After the break, Di Lorenzo headed the hosts in front, but the goal was disallowed for offside, before Napoli winger Hirving Lozano’s shot hit the foot of the post and the lively Josip Brekalo forced a smart save from David Ospina.
Late in the game, the Partenopei broke through when an attempted clearance was deflected high into a crowded box, allowing Osimhen to rise highest and head home his fifth league goal of the season.
After the game, the 22-year-old Nigerian described the atmosphere as “amazing” and thanked the Napoli supporters for his late winner while saying, “We have to keep this momentum going.”
“It’s amazing, the atmosphere was really crazy. I think we deserved the win, it’s very special to our fans, as they never stopped cheering us from the first whistle to the last,” the Nigeria international told DAZN.
“I knew the ball was going to come, so I had to anticipate. It’s an opportunity to get the goal, I am really happy with the win and we won’t stop.
“This shows how this is a difficult league and we have to continue this momentum.”
Osimhen was questioned about his communication with his teammates on the bench as the game progressed, as they continued to urge calmness as the clock ticked down.
“In this kind of game you are nervous, because the opponents continue to press us and it was important for me to fight back. Kudos to my teammates, as they gave me the confidence to keep calm and keep going.
“The way the goal came, it was so emotional, the fans were waiting for the goal and to get the opportunity to score, I am very happy, above all because it allowed us to get the win.”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
