'Too easy for Kjaer, Tomori' - 1985 Arsenal POTY discusses impact of Napoli missing Osimhen
Published: April 13, 20231985 Arsenal Player of the Year, Stewart Robson believes Victor Osimhen would have made a difference if he was passed fit to face AC Milan in Wednesday's Champions League clash at the San Siro.
Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti said he didn't want to risk the Nigeria international for the first leg.
Osimhen is recovering from a muscle injury he suffered while on international duty with the Super Eagles last month and is racing against the clock to be in tiptop condition for the return leg.
AC Milan go into the fixture next Tuesday with a one-goal lead thanks to Ismael Bennacer whose low shot beat the Napoli goalkeeper in the 40th minute.
From a Napoli perspective, it wasn't a great performance by the Serie A table toppers as they looked vulnerable when Milan went on the counter and they also lacked the cutting edge.
Without a physical center forward troubling the Milan back line, Robson noted that Fikayo Tomori and his center back partner Simon Kjaer had little work to do.
Asked if he thinks Osimhen would have made a difference in the game, Robson said on ESPN : "I think he would have done. They played Eljif Elmas up front who is really a wide player or an attacking midfield player and they dominated the game in the early stages.
"If they had a center forward like Osimhen they could have played balls down the side.
"He could have been a physical threat when balls came in the box because it was too easy for the two center halves for Milan - Simon Kjaer and Tomori. They had it quite easy. "
Osimhen has scored four goals in five appearances in this season's Champions League.
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
- Habeeb Ogunneye: 18yo Nigerian right-back named in Man Utd's travelling squad to face Fenerbahce
- 'My mum is from Nigeria' - Arsenal forward confirms he is qualified to represent Super Eagles, Black Stars, England
- 'My mother is Nigerian' - Red Bull Salzburg loanee confirms he is eligible to represent Super Eagles
- 'It’s a precautionary measure' - Alonso explains why Onyeka replaced Boniface in Leverkusen squad
- 'Almost breaks Reijnders ankle' - Club Brugge icon calls out Onyedika for dangerous tackle on AC Milan star
- Brendan Rodgers reveals how close he came to bringing Atalanta dazzler Lookman to Celtic
- 'These kind of mistakes' - Hayen to hold talks with Onyedika after 2 red cards in 4 European games
- 'Wasn't a punishment': AC Milan coach clarifies decision to bring on Chukwueze for Rafael Leao
- 'When I think of Martinez, Thuram' - Athekame admits Young Boys will face quality Inter Milan team
- 2024 Fifa U17 Women's World Cup: Five observations from Flamingos 1-0 win over Dominican Republic
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football