Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen had a night to forget on Sunday during his side's trip to Bologna, as he missed from the penalty spot before shouting angrily at Napoli coach Rudi Garcia over his substitution.
Although Osimhen played a key role in Napoli's UCL win over Braga on Wednesday, it has not been a great start to the season for Napoli in the Serie A.
Osimhen, who was instrumental to their title win last season, has not found the back of the net since the second game of the campaign.
Osimhen, who was also close to leaving in the summer after a mouthwatering offer from Saudi Arabia was made for him, does not appear to have a good rapport with new coach Garcia.
And this was rightly confirmed after their clash at the Stadio Dall’Ara during a dramatic 0-0 draw that left the reigning champions seven points adrift of leaders Inter just five game weeks into the 2023-24 campaign.
After everything that happened on the pitch, Garcia spoke to Osimhen in the locker room and has disclosed that everything stays there while speaking to the press.
What transpired between Garcia and Osimhen?
The Super Eagles striker had a difficult time in front of goal on Sunday before going ahead to miss a penalty late on. The former Lille man saw his strike come off the inside of the far post, with the aid of a Lukasz Skorupski fingertip.
In what could have been the game's decider, Osimhen was handed the responsibility from the spot but he fired off target in the 73rd minute.
The former Roma gaffer took off Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, then substituting Osimhen with Giovanni Simeone at the 86th minute. Napoli fans were not pleased and Osimhen reacted by attempting to tell Garcia that he was wrong to take him off.
What Rudi Garcia said about the Osimhen incident
After the incident, Napoli manager Rudi Garcia spoke about Victor Osimhen after both of them were seen to be involved in an argument.
“The missed penalty happens to the greatest players in the history of football. Then I obviously spoke to him about his exit, but what I said to him and the team he remains in the locker room,” he said.
“I may not be happy with their performance, but we are a squad with many players and therefore obviously everyone must be used. He is the penalty taker,” Garcia told reporters after the game.”
His problems are quite out in the open but he isn’t the only player struggling under Garcia.
Last season's Serie A MVP Khicha Kvaratskhelia is yet to score under the Frenchman and this tells everything about Garcia's management at the club at the moment.
What next after the incident?
The latest on the matter is that Victor Osimhen could be handed a fine at Napoli following his substitution outburst against Bologna. This is according to reports in the Italian media.
Meanwhile, a meeting between the star player and the under-fire manager is set to take place at the club’s training ground on Monday.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 month ago
