'That's not what you judge a player by' - Ex-Juventus star defends hardworking Osimhen after missed penalty
Published: March 05, 2024Former Juventus midfielder and retired Italy international Emanuele Giaccherini has leapt to the defence of Victor Osimhen after his penalty miss during Napoli's 2-1 win over Juventus in a Serie A match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday night.
Since the start of the 2022-2023 season, no player in the Serie A has missed more penalties than Osimhen, who has failed to convert three of the seven spot-kicks he has taken.
Against Juventus, Napoli were awarded a penalty after the referee deemed a tackle from the young Belgian midfielder Joseph Nonge caught Osimhen on the ankle with five minutes left on the clock.
Although Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saved Osimhen's spot-kick, the former Arsenal star was unable to prevent Giacomo Raspadori from scoring on the rebound.
Giaccherini has highlighted the importance of the number 9 to the Napoli squad and stressed that his performance should not be evaluated solely based on his missed penalties.
Speaking after Napoli's historic win against Juventus, Giaccherini said on Radio Crc, via Il Napolista: "Penalties are wrong, we know. That's not what you judge a player by.
"What I look at is the work that Osimhen does, bringing with him more than one opponent. Kvara also benefited from this. This duo can be Napoli's added value in Italy and Europe ."
Since his return from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Osimhen has scored five goals in four appearances, including a hat-trick against Sassuolo.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- 'Felt this could have been my season' - Chelsea midfielder Chukwuemeka reflects on injury woes
- Super Eagles winger Chukwueze gets vote of confidence from former AC Milan goalkeeper
- Morak FC chief backs Golden Eaglets to qualify for World Cup despite 2-0 loss to his team
- Chelsea ready to use Lukaku plus a young player as makeweight in their efforts to sign Osimhen
- Norwich mulling over move for Charlton's German-Nigerian RB after impressing in trial game v Chelsea youth
- 'Has been amazing' - Calvin Bassey lauds Marco Silva after Fulham's 10th clean sheet of the season
- U18 PL: John Terry and Cole Palmer in attendance as five Nigerians feature for Chelsea in loss to Norwich
- Awoniyi makes his first appearance in 55 days as Nottingham Forest claim huge win v Sheffield United
- U18 PL: Obi-Martin, Olusesi and Ajayi on target as Tottenham beat local rivals Arsenal
- The 7 best African soccer players of all time
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football