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Osimhen’s club side were in danger of realistically losing every chance of making next year’s competition, but Monday’s events have given Napoli a fighting chance.
Victor Osimhen may ultimately depart Napoli at the end of the current season, but the deposed champions’ 2023-24 could still end positively.
Francesco Calzona was bitterly disappointed by his team’s loss to Empoli, continuing the Partenopei’s dispiriting run of results against the Blues. Gameweek 33’s reverse against Davide Nicola’s men was Napoli’s fifth loss to the struggling side in the last seven Serie A meetings, leaving last year’s Scudetto winners in eighth.
Osimhen’s run of scoring in every away appearance under Calzona ended, and with it came the acceptance that Champions League qualification via the league was a long shot.
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19:56 - 20.04.2024
Osimhen ineffective as Empoli hand Napoli 10th defeat of the season
Napoli's European ambition continues to dim as they suffered their 10th defeat of the season at the hands of Empoli.
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11:23 - 19.04.2024
Victor Osimhen: How the Napoli star is outperforming Serie A forwards under Calzona
The Super Eagles forward is seeking to continue his three-game away scoring run in Serie A against an Empoli side that have often stung the Partenopei.
Last week’s results in Europe, with England failing to produce any Champions League or Europa League semi-finalist since 2014-15, means fifth place will suffice in Serie A.
Even if Roma occupy that position and have done so for a while under Daniele De Rossi, Monday’s events have thrown that battle wide open.
Will Osimhen, Napoli claim fifth place in Serie A?
While the Partenopei do not have their fate in their hands, Osimhen and his teammates should relish the possibility of adding even more intrigue to the jostle for fifth.
Roma hosted fourth-placed Bologna on Monday, keen to close the gap on Thiago Motta’s men to one point. However, the night ended with Motta’s side extending their lead over the capital club, moving two below Juventus in third and all but confirming Champions League qualification for next season.
The clubs trailing Roma (55 points) are Atalanta (54) and Lazio (52) going into the campaign’s final five rounds. Napoli have 49 points, making them outsiders for that highly-coveted position, even if they have a mathematical chance with 15 points to play for.
Nevertheless, hosting Roma on April 28 presents Osimhen and his teammates with possibly their final opening to put themselves in contention heading into the season’s culmination.
Sunday’s encounter at the Maradona undoubtedly is a must-win for the hosts, who could close the gap on De Rossi’s men to three points with four games left.
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Be that as it may, there remains the small matter of Roma’s final 18 minutes (excluding stoppage time) against Udinese — the April 14 match was suspended after Evan Ndicka collapsed on the pitch. The game’s concluding period will be played on April 25 in Udine, angering the Giallorossi, who claim to have been placed in a disadvantaged position by Serie A.
Napoli will hope it remains 1-1 after 90 minutes, as a Roma victory effectively ends any outside chance of ending fifth.
Osimhen reportedly promised to help the deposed champions make next year’s Champions League. It may be out of their hands, but stranger things have happened.
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