Napoli coach Garcia reveals when Osimhen will return from injury

...as Napoli settle for 1-1 draw in Union Berlin UCL clash

Victor Osimhen

Napoli head coach Rudi Garcia expects Victor Osimhen back in action at the end of the upcoming international break.

Osimhen picked up an injury during Nigeria’s friendly against Saudi Arabia last month.

The 24-year-old returned to Naples on Wednesday after spending time in Nigeria to take care of family issues.

The forward was in the stands to watch the Serie A champions UEFA Champions League clash against Union Berlin last night.

Garcia however said Osimhen will be ready to face Atalanta at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday, November 25.

“We are working to have Victor ready for the game against Atalanta,”Garcia was quoted by Football Italia.

The striker has scored six goals in 10 games across all competitions for Napoli this season.

Osimhen will miss Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe due to injury.

Meanwhile, Napoli, missing their key player in Victor Osimhen due to injury, on Wednesday evening played to a draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples.

Prior to Wednesday’s match against Napoli, Union Berlin had lost their last ten games and were without a goal in the last thirty-two days.

In the previous away fixture, Raspadori scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory for last season’s Serie A champions.

Union Berlin entered Wednesday’s match following a 3-0 loss to Frankfurt over the weekend, marking their twelfth consecutive loss.

Zambo Anguissa initially appeared to open the scoring for the home team after a splendid play involving Mario Rui and Giovanni Di Lorenzo around the half-hour mark. However, the goal was disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) due to a foul in the box.

The opening goal came nine minutes later as Politano passed the ball to Kvara, who set up Mario Rui. The fullback delivered a low cross into the box, and Politano tapped it in, giving Napoli a one-goal lead.

Seven minutes into the second half, Union scored their first goal in thirty-two days. Politano’s shot was blocked by Jerome Rousillon, who launched the ball to David-Datro Fofana.

The Chelsea loanee played the ball to Sheraldo Becker, who took a shot that was parried by Meret. Fofana was in the right place to capitalize on the rebound, adding the finishing touch to a beautiful counter-attack by Urs Fischer’s side.

Although Garcia’s team dominated possession with 73% and had twenty-seven shots on goal, Union Berlin held on to secure their first point since September.

Napoli’s draw keeps them in second place in their group, just behind Real Madrid, while Braga and Union face an uphill battle to secure qualification spots.

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