It wasn’t business as usual for Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen as he was sent off in the club’s defeat to AS Roma in a league clash of Saturday.
Osimhen who is Napoli’s leading scorer with seven goals this season, had his works cut out against a Roma side who came prepared and determined.
It was the Naples team who started off brightly, but were unable to break down Jose Mourinho’s tutored side during the chances they created.
The two sides showed great skills of football display, though, no goal was produced after an enthralling first half at the Stadio Olimpico.
The game restarted in the second half with the same tempo as the two sides matched out physically, and strength for strength in outplaying each other.
Napoli, soon after, were reduced to 10-man when Matteo Politano got a straight red card for hitting out on a Roma player.
Mourinho’s men capitalized on the situation and got the opener through Lorenzo Pellegrini on the 75th minute, a crucial goal for his side.
Minutes later the Nigerian international who had been booked already, got a second yellow card for foul on Stephan El Shaarawy and sent off, leaving Napoli with nine men standing.
Before then, the Super Eagles star was involved in a heated exchange with Roma manager, Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho also clashed with Victor Osimhen’s team-mate Kvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku added the icing on the cake for Roma with a stoppage time goal to secure the 2-0 win with three points against the Italian champions.
Before heading into the contest, the Nigeria international had signed a contract extension that will see him stay at Napoli until the summer of 2026.
The details of the new deal was not disclosed by the defending Serie A champions, but it has been reported by some Italian outlets that the release clause is worth between €120m and €130m.
The reigning Africa Player of the Year netted 26 times to help the Parthenopeans win the domestic league crown under former coach Luciano Spalletti.
