Osimhen fires blanks in Napoli 2-3 loss to Real Madrid

Victor Osimhen had a night to forget in the Champions League as his Napoli side fell at home to Real Madrid in a Group C game.

It was an exciting game that saw the Partenopei making last season's semi-finalist uncomfortable for large portions of the game.

Victor Osimhen was quiet for most of the game as Rudiger and Nacho did well to police the Nigerian striker.

However, the former Lille forward caused Los Blancos problems and could have scored.

Following the loss to Real Madrid, questions will continue over where Osimhen will be next season.

Bellingham magic gave Real Madrid a first-half 2-1 lead.

Napoli settled into the game faster, but Real Madrid got the first chance through Rodrygo.

In the seventh minute, the Brazilian ran into the box but saw his shot saved by Alex Meret.

Real Madrid’s weakness from crosses came to haunt them again in the 20th minute.

Arizabalega failed to deal with a corner. A header slams it against the bar, and Ostigard is the first to react and nodded it in for the first goal.

Real Madrid did not need to wait long for the equalizer. Di Lorenzo played a faulty pass, with an interception from Bellingham, who found Vinicius Junior in the box to put beyond the goalkeeper.

Osimhen was quiet in the early exchanges as Real Madrid kept a close eye on the Nigerian striker.

Real Madrid took the lead in the 34th minute through Jude Bellingham.

The Englishman collected a pass in the midfield from Camavinga and slalomed his way through the Napoli defence before putting his shot beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.

The goal took his tally to eight goals in all competitions.

🌟 9 games, 6 MOTM awards for Jude Bellingham as Real Madrid player. pic.twitter.com/4i7WUrIsT3

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 3, 2023

A quiet Osimhen saw his first attempt a minute after Bellingham’s goal, but his shot was blocked.

Osimhen gave Real Madrid a glimpse of his capability when he connected with a beautifully flighted cross in the 39th minute.

Kepa pulled a stunning save off the header from Osimhen.

Two minutes before the end of regular time, Osimhen saw his header from a corner kick deflected out.

The game saw its second yellow card, with Napoli’s Nathan going into the referee's book in the 45th minute for a foul on a goal-bound Rodrygo.

The free-kick was the last act of the first half, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men taking a 2-1 lead into the break.

First half stats

Napoli had less possession than the visitors in the first half, with 43% to 57% for Real Madrid.

In the shots department, the Partenopei took more shots than Real Madrid. They had seven shots with four on target, while Real Madrid had five shots, with three going to Meret’s goal.

Napoli were not successful in any of their counterattacks, but Real Madrid executed it successfully four times.

Both sides had one yellow card and committed 12 fouls between them (Napoli -5, Real Madrid – 7).

Osimhen fails to score as Napoli falls to a late stunner

Osimhen came alive in the second with his runs into the box, causing problems for Nacho and Rudiger.

Early in the second half, Osimhen forced Nacho into committing a foul inside the box, and after a VAR check, the referee awarded the penalty.

Zielinski slammed it off the post to level matters.

The equalizer reinvigorated Napoli, and in the 58th minute, Zielinski tested Kepa with a shot from outside the box, but the Spaniard saved well.

With fire in their bellies, Napoli started pressing Real Madrid and keeping them in their half.

With pressure on Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti made his first substitution in the 65th minute.

Ferland Mendy and Luka Modric replaced Eduardo Camavinga and Toni Kroos.

Rudiger locked up Osimhen today just like he did Haaland last season. What a player man. Always steps up in the big games. pic.twitter.com/5CRlWu19JE

— WolfRMFC (@WolfRMFC) October 3, 2023

The arrival of Luka Modric seemed to stabilize the Real Madrid midfield, and they came close to regaining the lead in the 74th minute, but Bellingham headed a rebound wide.

Napoli made its first change in the 70th minute with Eljif Elmas coming on for Politano.

Rudi Garcia sent Giacomo Raspadori to replace Zielinski, while Ancelotti swapped Rodrygo for Joselu.

Real Madrid had warmed themselves back in the game, and in the 78th minute, a rocket of a shot from Valverde cannons off the crossbar and hit Meret on the back before finding its way in to give Real Madrid the lead again.

Ancelotti made another substitution with six minutes left on the clock. Vinicius Junior, who had a decent game, was replaced by Dani Ceballos.

Rudi Garcia made his last throw of the dice as he made a triple substitution in the 88th minute.

Jens-Lys Cajuste, Giovanni Simeone and Mario Rui came on for the trio of Stanislav Lobotka, Andre Zambo Anguissa and Mathias Olivera.

Real Madrid held on to record their fourth win over the Partenopei in the Champions League.

Lineups

Napoli
Goalkeeper: Alex Meret
Defenders: Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leo Ostigard, Natan, Mathias Olivera
Midfielders: Zambo Anguissa, Stanislav Lobotka, Piotr Zielinski
Forwards: Mateo Politano, Victor Osimhen, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Real Madrid
Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga
Defenders: Eduardo Camavinga, Nacho, Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Toni Kroos, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde
Forwards: Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo

"It's wrong on every level… It's your own team! What are we talking about here?"

Thierry Henry is stunned by Napoli's social media treatment of star striker Victor Osimhen. pic.twitter.com/txK5ZoFzve

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 3, 2023