ROME: Victor Osimhen combines the characteristics of a classic No. 9 with the talents of a modern striker. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s dribbling wizardry and passing abilities befuddle defenders in Italy and beyond.
Individually, Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia are devastating enough. Together, they are leading Napoli to new heights game after game.
The latest demonstration came when Osimhen scored a brace of headers and Kvaratskhelia earned and converted a penalty and set up two goals in Napoli’s 4-0 win at Torino in Serie A on Sunday.
The victory left the runaway leaders 19 points ahead of second-place Lazio, who beat Roma 1-0 in a derby, and a step closer to Napoli’s first Serie A title since Diego Maradona led the club to their only two Italian league championships back in 1987 and 1990. “Once again when I talked to the team before the game I had the feeling that there could be a sense of fulfillment, and once again they responded by showing that they’re made of different stuff, that they know how to handle the Napoli shirt,” coach Luciano Spalletti said. “There’s a Neopolitan saying that goes, ‘Whoever is hungry doesn’t feel sleepy,’ and that fits perfectly.” Osimhen started it off midway through the first half when he leaped above the defense to redirect in a corner with a towering header.