Victor Osimhen has apologized to manager Rudi Garcia for his petulant reaction when he was subbed off during Napoli’s 0-0 draw at Bologna on Sunday, September 24, 2023.
The Nigeria International was determined to change the course of the affair, after missing a penalty in the 72nd minute.
However, he was substituted in the 86th minute of the encounter, coming off for Giovanni Simeone.
Victor Osimhen has had a bad patch in recent weeks, scoring 3 goals in 5 Serie A appearances this campaign.
Napoli have also had an underwhelming start to the season, as they sit 7th on the Italian top-flight league table with 8 points from 5 matches.
Reports also indicate that Osimhen informed his colleagues in the dressing room that he overreacted due to his unquenchable desire to win.
Manager Rudi Garcia was appointed on July 1, 2023, replacing Luciano Spalleti who led Napoli to the Scudetto for the first time in 33 years.
He started his competitive tenure as manager by leading the Neapolitans to a 3-1 away win over Frosinone.
However, Garcia-led Napoli have won only 2 out of 5 Serie A matches this term, with 2 victories, 2 draws and 1 defeat.
Despite their shaky start to the season, Napoli have confirmed their confidence in the Frenchman, although positive results are paramount.
Victor Osimhen reaction to Rudi Garcia’s decision to sub him off at Bologna
Meanwhile, Rudi Garcia’s relationship with poacher Victor Osimhen is one to keep a close eye on, given the happenings since the start of the 2023/24 season.
Following Napoli’s victory over Frosinone in their opening game of the season, Garcia reprimanded the performance of Osimhen.
His grouse was down to the defensive showing of the 24-year-old during the clash against The Canaries.
Rudi Garcia expressed his content with Victor Osimhen attacking performance but concerning the attacker’s defensive display, He said:
“Defensively, I didn’t like him at all and I told him during the break. He used to press more and defend better in the past. We changed this thing in the second half and we played with more quality.”
The 59-year-old also lauded the leadership qualities of Osimhen, but with the player’s outburst on Sunday, September 24, 2023, he might begin to reconsider his comments.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that Napoli are considering fining the Nigerian for reacting angrily to Rudi Garcia.
Victor Osimhen at Napoli
Napoli signed Victor Osimhen on September 1, 2020, from Lille for a club-record fee of €75 million.
The ex-Wolfsburg striker has scored 62 goals and provided 15 assists in 107 appearances for Napoli.
He is the highest scoring African in the history of the Serie A, with 53 Italian top-flight league goals.
Osimhen finished as the top-scorer of the 2022/23 season, scoring 26 goals in 32 league appearances.
Moreover, he has also represented the national team of Nigeria, scoring 20 goals and providing 8 assists in 27 appearances.
