Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman both shone for Napoli and Atlanta in Saturday’s Serie A top-of-the-table clash. Both Nigerians had eventful games, with both players finding the net in Napoli’s eventual 2-1 victory.
Atalanta began the day in second place in the Serie A standings with 27 points, trailing Napoli, who had 32 points after 12 games.
At the Gewiss Stadium, Atalanta’s home ground, Lookman converted a penalty kick in the 19th minute to give his team the lead and record his sixth goal of the season. Osimhen was deemed to have handled the ball in the box after a VAR review, and as a result, he conceded the penalty.
Osimhen went from zero to hero just four minutes later when he equalized for Napoli with a beautiful header. The in-form striker was assisted by Piotr Zielinski. With 8 goals from 9 games played this season, he is currently the league’s leading scorer.
Osimhen set up Eljif Elmas in the 35th minute to put Napoli up 2-1. Lookman almost equalized for Atalanta in the 55th minute after a scramble in the box. His shot was deflected off a Napoli defender and smacked off the crossbar.
Napoli held on to secure all three points. The Partenopei continue their unbeaten start to the season and are now on 35 points after 13 rounds of matches. Atalanta remains on 27 points.
Osimhen made some bit of history with his goal. With 32 goals, the 23-year-old is now Nigeria’s all-time leading goal scorer in the Italian top division. He needed 60 matches to arrive at that tally.
