Serie A: Osimhen eyes 60th Napoli goal in season opener

• Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen aims to score his 60th goal for Napoli against Frosinone in the 2023/24 season
• Osimhen’s previous record includes 59 goals and 14 assists in 101 appearances for Napoli over three seasons

Victor Osimhen, a Nigerian striker, could score his 60th goal for Napoli when they face promoted Frosinone on Saturday (today).

Osimhen will be looking to replicate his form from last season in the 2023/24 season and set a new milestone by scoring his 60th goal for Napoli against the newly promoted side.

Over three seasons with the Partenopei, the Nigeria international has scored 59 goals and provided 14 assists in 101 appearances.

While the hosts have returned to Italy’s top flight for the third time in ten years, their first visitors won the title last season, ending a 33-year wait with Osimhen at the helm.

Last season, a scintillating Napoli side wrapped up the top spot in Serie A with five games to spare, bringing both relief and joy to the one-club city of Naples.

Despite a stuttering start to the 2022/23 season, stars such as Osimhen – who was named Capocannoniere after scoring 26 Serie A goals – and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (12 goals and 10 assists in the league) were eventually rewarded for their brilliance, leaving runners-up Lazio and the rest of Italy’s giants trailing in their wake.

Napoli then lost their cherished coach Luciano Spalletti, who is now set to manage Italy, after such a stellar season, in which they also suffered a disappointing Champions League exit to Milan after sprinting through the group stage.

Another ex-Roma manager, Rudi Garcia, was widely regarded as an underwhelming replacement, but the Partenopei’s successful pre-season suggests they may be able to mount a reasonable title defence.

Napoli completed their preseason schedule with victories over Augsburg and Apollon Limassol, with Osimhen scoring in the latter.

They now face their first Serie A match after winning each of their previous six games on matchday one, a club record.

Frosinone will host the Scudetto holders with trepidation, having lost all four previous top-flight meetings with Napoli, conceding 15 goals in the process.