Osimhen praised after matching Napoli legend’s landmark

The Nigerian star continued his prolific form to help Napoli claim a first Europa League win and make a bit of history at the same time.

Victor Osimhen was on target again as Napoli claimed a 3-0 Europa League win over Legia Warsaw on Thursday.

The Nigeria international came on for Hirving Lozano in the second half and scored Napoli’s second goal of the game in the 80th-minute, just four minutes after Lorenzo Insigne’s brilliant opener.

Osimhen has now scored nine goals in 10 appearances across all competitions. Four of his goals have come in the Europa League. Despite only starting once in the tournament so far, he has found the back of the net in each of his first three games this season.

3 – Victor Osimhen has just become the second Napoli's player to have scored in each of his first three seasonal appearances in European competitions in XXI century, after Dries Mertens in 2015/16. Bulldozer.#UEL #NapoliLegia

— OptaPaolo 🏆 (@OptaPaolo) October 21, 2021

In doing so, Osimhen has become the second Napoli player to achieve this feat in Europe after the club’s record goalscorer Dries Mertens in the 21st century.

Matteo Politano added a third goal during injury-time to seal Napoli a first win in the Europa League this season.

What did Mertens have to say?

Speaking about the 22-year-old to Sky Sport Italia after the final whistle, Mertens said: “Osimhen arrived last season and had a few difficulties settling, he also had injury problems, so I tried to help him. He’s a smart lad who wants to listen and learn. I give him all the love in the world!”

Napoli boss praises Osimhen

Luciano Spalletti also paid tribute to Osimhen’s willingness to learn and improve after Napoli’s victory.

“He is accustomed to galloping in wide-open spaces, so coming back to get the ball or support his teammate and then make the run are things he is still learning. He’s a great professional, a lovely guy who is eager to learn and improve,” the manager told Sky Sport Italia.

“His teammates adore him, he wants to be with them all the time and we’re very fortunate to have him.”

Osimhen and Napoli return to action on Sunday in a trip to AS Roma for another Serie A match.