Victor Osimhen started where he left off for Napoli with a brace in Saturday’s 3-1 victory at promoted Frosinone which gave the champions a winning start to their Serie A title defence.
Nigeria striker Osimhen netted in each half to help ensure the champions came from behind to win on Rudi Garcia’s debut as coach following the resignation of new Italy boss Luciano Spalletti.
Matteo Politano scored Napoli’s other goal, getting the away side back on level terms midway through the first half after Abdou Harroui had given hosts Frosinone a shock early lead from the penalty spot.
“It was important to start well… the opponent gave us a very hard time,” said Osimhen to DAZN.
Osimhen scored 31 times last season, including the goal which sealed the league title and he is in talks for a contract extension despite big-money interest from clubs abroad.
“The president is the boss. We are still negotiating, maybe at the end of the transfer window we will see what will happen,” added Osimhen, whose current deal expires in June 2025.
“But for now I’m a Napoli player which is the most important thing and I will give my heart and soul for the team.”
Garcia has a tough job on his hands defending Napoli’s first championship crown since 1990 and didn’t have things all his own way at the Stadio Benito Stirpe.
His team was trailing in the seventh minute when Harroui slotted home a penalty following a clumsy foul from Jens Cajuste, who had a difficult debut.
Cajuste had already flattened a pitchside photographer with a wayward pre-match shot when instead of clearing the ball he booted Jaime Baez and conceded the spot-kick.
Napoli, who were without injured star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, were level when Politano pounced following chaos in the Frosinone box and lashed in a powerful left-footed shot which should have been stopped by home goalkeeper Stefano Turati.
Vanguard
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