Napoli were made to sweat for their narrow 1-0 win over Union Berlin in the absence of Victor Osimhen.
Napoli bring this home for us please 😩
Times like these we need Victor Osimhen— TACHA.ETH🔱🇳🇬🇬🇭 (@Symply_Tacha) October 24, 2023
Osimhen is currently sidelined with a thigh problem which he picked up while on international duty and is expected to be out for around six weeks.
Napoli ran out 3-1 winners over Verona on Saturday in the first game of Osimhen's injury spell but the reigning Italian champions had to work hard for Tuesday's Champions League victory which saw them move up to second in Group C, three points behind Real Madrid.
The Partenopei were limited to just one attempt on target over the 90 minutes but luckily for them, it was the winning goal 20 minutes into the second half courtesy of Osimhen's replacement in the starting XI Giacomo Raspadori.
As Napoli prepare for a crunch Serie A clash against AC Milan this weekend, Rudi Garcia's men have work to do at the top end of the pitch if they are to secure a third consecutive victory across all competitions.
Napoli will need Kvara Kvaratskhelia to keep delivering the goods in the absence of Victor Osimhen
Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia were arguably Napoli's best two players en route to Serie A glory last time out as both men formed one of Europe's deadliest attacking duos.
Osimhen ended the 2022-23 campaign with the Golden Boot award while Kvaratskhelia was named Serie A Player of the Season.
With Osimhen currently unfit to take part, the onus is now increasingly more on Kvaratskhelia to provide the spark in attack for his side.
The Georgian winger scored twice in the 3-1 win over Verona before setting up Raspadori's winner against Union Berlin, racking up his sixth direct goal contributions in the last four games for club and country.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's las four games for club and country:
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🅰️The patch of bad form seems to be behind him. 💪 pic.twitter.com/IqWdPiSanz
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) October 24, 2023
His recent return to form could not have come at a better time for Napoli, who are already missing the services of their star striker.
This article was most recently revised and updated 6 days ago
