Portuguese defender João Cancelo has heaped praise on Napoli’s Victor Osimhen as excitement mounts for the team’s UEFA Champions League matchup against Barcelona. This sets the stage for an exciting match on Tuesday night at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Spain.
After an exciting 1-1 draw in the first leg at Diego Maradona Stadium, the tie is now precariously balanced.
Remember how Osimhen’s exquisite finish quickly countered Robert Lewandowski’s opening goal for Barcelona, demonstrating the striker from Nigeria’s ability to compete on the European scene?
Cancelo, however, acknowledged Osimhen’s influence and praised his ability to precisely exploit openings, calling him one of the world’s top attackers.
Cancelo also emphasized the skills of Stanislav Lobotka, Piotr Zieliński, and Matteo Politano, highlighting Napoli’s strong lineup.
During Osimhen’s tenure as Napoli’s new coach, Francesco Calzona, Cancelo showed praise for the player’s consistency and effectiveness in an interview with the Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Il Napolista.
How about Politano? Cancelo remarked, “They are extraordinary talents. Osimhen is one of the best strikers in the world; he scored with half the ball in the first leg.”
“But there’s more: I like Lobotka; I played against him against Portugal, and he’s a great player. I also like Zielinski, who isn’t on the list and can’t play.”
Osimhen has continued his remarkable scoring run after returning from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, hitting five goals in as many appearances.