Fired up Raspadori  to replace Osimhen

for Napoli in Rangers clash

Glasgow Rangers may relish going up against Napoli at the Ibrox without the Azzurri’s in form forward Victor Osimhen, but they must now contend with his replacement, Giacomo Raspadori in the Italian giant’s lineup, Edwin Emeanua writes for Sports Joust.

Italian forward Raspadori is a fired-up replacement for injured Nigeria international Osimhen Tuesday night as Napoli go against Rangers at the Ibrox in Scotland.

On loan from Sassuolo, the 22-year forward is thrilled with playing at the famous Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. He is now in the frame for his Champions League play, with injured Osimhen clearly ruled out at Ibrox.

Raspadori fetched the Azzurri a 1-0 victory against a very determined Spezia side on Sunday in a game that seemed destined to end in a tie. He was to tell  Napoli’s official website later on: “It was crazy. I still have goosebumps.”

“It’s one of the best feelings I’ve had in my footballing career. I was disappointed because I’d missed two chances earlier on, but when the third came, I slotted the ball neatly into the corner. The team did well helping and supporting me right to the end.”

“I owe it to my team-mates and to Spalletti as well for showing belief in me by not taking me off. I told him I wasn’t tired and he trusted me.”

Osimhen speared Napoli’s front three arsenal that included Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Matteo Politano in the 4-1 annihilation of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in Group A last week.

Raspadori remains in line to replace Osimhen on Tuesday in Spalletti’s Napoli side but the Italian handler could go for other choices which includes Giovanni Simeone or Hirving Lozano in an equally formidable reserve ensemble.

Rangers should as well gear up to take on top level foes as is the fate of all teams in the Champions League, and at this level, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men show a stellar quality by aiming to put down a very famous opposition.

And it is just as well.