Udinese’s coach Cannavaro hails goal scorer Osimhen as Success equalizer ensures a draw
Football legend Fabio Cannavaro showers praises on Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen hoping that his side the last-gasp 1-1 draw with Napoli will give Udinese ‘confidence’ going into the final three rounds of the season to avoid relegation.
This was always going to be a special game for Cannavaro, who was born and raised in Napoli, came through their youth academy, and played for the senior squad, but was also linked with the Napoli job this season.
“Aside from the tactical side of the role, I liked the attitude from my players,” Cannavaro told DAZN.
“Napoli came here trying to win and this draw certainly has a different flavour, as we achieved it against a great team and it can give us confidence for the next games.
“We know it’s going to be tough, but we’ll try our best.”
The Friulani are still in the bottom three but are only two points off both Empoli and Frosinone after Isaac Success came off the bench to grab a stoppage-time equaliser.
Osimhen had opened the scoring with a header, while his second on the counter-attack was ruled offside.
“Napoli are tough to play against, they control the ball well and occupy the spaces. We were tight and largely neutralised them in the first half, also creating a few chances.
“I told the lads that the first 15 minutes of the second half were crucial, we couldn’t drop back or give them space, but when you have champions like Osimhen, he only needs one touch to score. We should’ve cut the cross off in the first place and we’ll work on that.
“We are all aware the situation is not easy, we are trying to shake off some of the fear. This team tended to lose in situations like this, but the team is alive and kicking, so that bodes well.”
It has been a nightmare fixture list for Cannavaro, starting with the final 17 minutes against Roma, then 1-1 draws with Bologna and Napoli.
However, the run-in does provide Udinese with opportunities, as they will go head-to-head with Lecce, Empoli, and Frosinone.
“We think that destiny will be in our hands and we need to start making the most of our strengths.”
With his goal on Monday night, Osimhen equals the feat of two other Napoli legends by scoring in the sixth consecutive game against a single team.
According to statisticians from Opta, the reigning CAF Men's Player of the Year has become the third Napoli player to score in six consecutive games against the same opponent in the Serie A.
The other two are Dries Mertens who did the same against Bologna and Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuaín who also replicated the same against Lazio.
Osimhen's goalscoring run against Udinese started in 2021 when the Parthenopeans battered them 4-0 and has scored against them since then.
He could have scored his eighth goal against the White and Blacks when he slammed the ball home in the 80th minute but his strike was ruled out with the assistance of the VAR.
Three minutes later, he got another chance to get on the scoresheet but his weak shot was calmly collected by his international teammate Maduka Okoye.
Meanwhile, Osimhen could receive up to 187 million naira in his club’s clash against Udinese on Monday night.
As per Il Napoli, the former LOSC Lille man has a clause in his contract that will see him receive 125 thousand euros if he scores 15 league goals this season, and with a prime fixture on the horizon, Osimhen has the big stage to claim his prize.
The report also revealed that the Nigerian striker is above all keen to end his time in Italy on a high note having been linked with a move to Chelsea and PSG in recent weeks. He is determined to claim a place in Europe for Napoli.
Napoli are currently 9th on the Serie A table with 50 points from 34 games and have just one win from their last five games while Udinese are 18th with 29 points. Both teams meet tonight by 7:45 pm
