Napoli 3-0 Eintracht Frankfurt (5-0 agg): Victor Osimhen is the star of the show

Suitors for Victor Osimhen this summer have no hope if they are planning to haggle his enormous price-tag down after another man-of-the-match display in the Champions League. 

The Nigerian striker’s brace, along with Piotr Zielinski’s second-half penalty, ensured there would be no upset in Naples on Wednesday night as the Serie A leaders coasted through to the last eight of the Champions League. 

It speaks volumes that Napoli will go into Friday’s draw as one of the main teams to avoid for the likes of Manchester City and Bayern Munich and on this evidence that fear seems well placed. 

Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp did his best to keep it level as long as he could but when Osimhen leapt high in the box, totally unmarked, Trapp was a bystander as the ball looped, almost in slow motion, into the top corner. 

From there Napoli cruised, but the home fans did have one collective intake of breath when Osimhen screamed out in pain while clutching his wrist after slotting in from a yard out for his second goal. He played on, much to the relief of those of a Neapolitan persuasion.  

Victor Osimhen produced a stunning header on his way to netting a brace on Wednesday night

The Nigerian striker is set to be the most in-demand forward in world football this summer

Piotr Zielinski added a third for Napoli from the penalty spot, adding to Osimhen’s brace

This was a complete performance where Napoli never really needed to get out of a second gear. It was a warning to those that await in the next round.  

‘Whoever we get in the draw, we want to play our football and go through to the next round,’ goalscorer Zielinski told Sky Sports Italia. 

‘I think they are all huge teams, we can fight it out with anyone. We are aware of our strength, whoever we get, we will be ready to fight and give our all to keep writing history.

‘I think teams ought to be afraid of this Napoli. We are in great shape and everyone who faces us struggles to get a result. The fans are right behind us too, I think we can do great things this season.’

Speaking of Wednesday’s comprehensive win, he added: ‘We are pleased, but also know that we can still do a lot more.

‘We are well aware that we are an excellent team, those who come off the bench always give their contribution. In terms of quantity and quality, we did really well. 

‘We have to continue like this, as there are many games to go, in Serie A and I hope in the Champions League too.’

As well as AC Milan and Inter Milan, Napoli joins Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Benfica in the quarter-finals. 

This is the first time in Napoli’s history that they have reached this stage and they will press on without fear or scars from previous battles. 

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola claimed this week that currently Napoli are the best team anywhere in Europe – an assessment that manager Luciano Spalletti was giving little attention to.

‘I don’t feel proud, I don’t feel anything,’ he said after this win. 

‘I know this game that everyone does to put pressure on the others. 

‘Are we putting Napoli in front of Manchester City? If they can spend €900m compared to our €9m, there must be a reason. It’s a game to build us up so they can knock us down.’ 

Osimhen became  the first Nigerian to score two goals in a Champions League knockout tie

He injured himself when he slid in from close range to score his second goal of the evening

He was seen clutching his wrist but he was able to continue, to the relief of Napoli’s fans

Asked specifically about the brilliance of two-goal hero Osimhen, Spalletti hailed his ‘excellent’ lead man.

‘He is an excellent striker who can be a bit of a soloist and makes these sudden surges, but he also has to combine with the rest of the team,’ he said. 

‘He is starting to do that now and we are very happy.’

Osimhen’s brace also saw him make history as  the first Nigerian to score two goals in a Champions League knockout tie.