Real Madrid’s makeshift defense cages Osimhen
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen failed to find the back of the net as Napoli hosted the striker’s suitor, Real Madrid in a UEFA Champions League group stage match on Tuesday.
Madrid desperately needs to sign a striker in the summer and French captain Kylian Mbappe whose contract expires in the summer of 2024 is their number one choice.
But should Mbappe decide to renew his contract with PSG, Osimhen and his compatriot Victor Boniface are among the strikers the La Liga wants to sign.
Osimhen played well on Tuesday but his efforts to find the back of the net were frustrated by Madrid's makeshift defense that was missing starters like David Alaba Elder Militao and first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois due to injuries.
The 3-2 defeat of Napoli Tuesday night means Madrid has made it back-to-back wins in the Champions League group stages after a dramatic victory at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
The game got off to a poor start for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, as Leo Ostigard opened the scoring for the hosts after 19 minutes. Kepa Arrizabalaga failed to collect a corner, which allowed the Norwegian defender to head home.
Fortunately for Real Madrid, they were able to turn things around soon after. Vinicius Junior scored his second goal of the season – and first since August – to equalise, and Jude Bellingham continued his excellent form soon after to make it 2-1 with a wonderful solo goal.
Napoli equalised after halftime in controversial circumstances, as Nacho Fernandez was adjudged to have handled inside the penalty box. Piotr Zielinski took the spot kick and dually finished beyond Kepa.
However, Real Madrid did secure victory in the 78th minute. Federico Valverde’s thunderous strike rattled the crossbar
but rebounded into the back of the net off Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret.
The result sees Real Madrid move on to six points, ensuring their place at the top of Group C. They are three points clear of Napoli and Braga, who sit in second and third respectively.
