Victor Osimhen was the Serie A Player of the Week on Matchday 18 of the 2022/23 season, after leading Napoli in a five goal demolition of Scudetto rivals Juventus on Friday night at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
The 5-1 defeat in Naples was the first time since May 1993 that the Bianconeri had conceded five goals, as the Nigerian international bagged a brace alongside goals for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Amir Rrahmani and Elif Elmas.
Osimhen at the double
It took the 24-year-old just 14 minutes to give the Partenopei the lead against Juventus, reacting with amazing speed to head home from close range after Wojciech Szczesny sent a low Kvaratskhelia shot spinning into the air. It is the fifth time this term that he has sent Napoli on the way to victory with the opening goal.
As the first half came to an end, Osimhen turned provider for the Georgian attacker, who made no mistake with a similarly low curling shot past the Pole, before switching roles again on 65 minutes. Keen to add to his first goal against the Bianconeri, the striker burst between two defenders to meet a Kvaratskhelia cross and power another header into the net for 4-1.
The way that Osimhen has kept his form going following the serious facial injury last season suggests that he really is set to be one of the best strikers in the world for many years to come. Napoli will be hard-pressed to keep hold of him in the summer transfer window but they surely stand to make a profit, even if he did cost €75 million.
History suggests the title is heading south
The five-star display from Luciano Spalletti’s team meant the Partenopei set a new club record for goals (44) in the opening 18 games of a league campaign and, with 47 points secured, no team has reached that total at this stage and not lifted the title.
