I wrote an article a few weeks ago about what an attractive side Napoli are to watch this season and the quality they have throughout the team. It's really striking to see them playing without Osimhen (out injured for a short time). Not only in terms of lacking the firepower to finish chances, but generally much less coherent and confident moving the ball forward. Conversely, Milan (having generally a disappointing season and way off pace in the title race) have now outplayed Napoli twice in the space of a fortnight, displaying an aggression and swagger that few sides have managed against the Italian champions elect all season.
I guess this is a good reminder that in a sport of small margins it doesn't take a great deal to disrupt a finely tuned machine, turning an imperious side into one that struggles for fluency. More specifically, it's a reminder of how a world class striker can not only boost a team's goal output, but has a disproportionate impact on the dynamics of a side: the extent to which it can play on the front foot, the confidence running through all the players, the level of caution with which the opposing team approaches the game. Van Persie's importance to our last title winning side (a pretty prosaic and functional squad compared not just to City's) is a good example of this.
I wonder if this will feed into how the club prioritises investment this summer.
Napoli without Osimhen
posted on 13/4/23
No I know. I honestly don’t know as I don’t watch Italian football. But I agree, United are gonna be significantly worse while Rashford’s injured.
posted on 13/4/23
I saw the game last night from kickoff till the end.
Napoli clearly played like a side missing their talisman, someone to inspire them, Osihmen gives the side an edge with his goals but also his leadership skills rallying the side and tackling from the front. The milan defence was rarely tested last night. By the time, Napoli brought in a defender, game was already lost, trailing one nil, playing with 10 men, Anguissa had a second yellow for harmless challenge. The referee was all over the place yesterday. Kim would also be missing the second leg.
From what i have read, Osimhen won't be ready for next Tuesday
posted on 13/4/23
Brought in a striker...Raspadori
posted on 13/4/23
From what I read it wasn’t just Osimhen injured, but all 3 of their ST options with Raspadori only fit enough for the bench.
posted on 13/4/23
Let's hope we aren't the same without Rashford.
posted on 13/4/23
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 58 minutes ago
Tbf you could argue that it was all the good signings that they made in the summer that elevated the side, and that he’s been the beneficiary of it.
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You're only saying this as part of your De Gea agenda, Dazza. You're transparent.
posted on 13/4/23
Not this time.
Football has been littered with strikers that can elevate a team, or their own form is elevated by a team they play in. I’ve not seen enough of Osimhen to know conclusively what camp he falls into, and all strikers are reliant on their team to some extent, but he strikes me as more of the latter than the former.
Difficult to say what approach we’ll take this summer with regard to the striker. But given the lack of quality in that position, it’d probably be easier to approach it with the idea of building a side that can raise the level of certain strikers on the market, rather than just getting a striker that can raise the level of the current team.
posted on 13/4/23
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 2 hours, 34 minutes ago
comment by There'sOne7-0Reds (U1721)
posted 22 minutes ago
To be fair Osimhen was injured at the start of the season and they were playing well and winning games.
I don't think him being out is the 'issue', they're likely suffering from a bit of complacency.
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That might explain the 0-4 against Milan in the league but I don't think they looked complacent facing the same side last night.
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I was more talking about in general. They have let the levels drop a bit at times.
Last night the didn't have a striker at all due to injuries and played a back up midfielder up top.
As I mentioned before, whenever Osimhen has been out they've played well and won games. I watched all of their league games up to January and no matter who slotted in, it worked well. They were playing as a team, outplaying and outrunning most teams.
posted on 13/4/23
Kvaratskhelia can play. He's second to Oshimen in regards to importance. 12 in 25 in serie as a winger, only 22. He's definitely one that teams here will be looking at.
posted on 13/4/23
comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 6 hours, 14 minutes ago
No I know. I honestly don’t know as I don’t watch Italian football. But I agree, United are gonna be significantly worse while Rashford’s injured.
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Not really.
He's nowhere near that significant.
There are better options in terms of what contribution they can bring to the shape of the team, and always have been.