'That's not what you judge a player by' - Ex-Juventus star defends hardworking Osimhen after missed penalty

Former Juventus midfielder and retired Italy international Emanuele Giaccherini has leapt to the defence of Victor Osimhen after his penalty miss during Napoli's 2-1 win over Juventus in a Serie A match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday night.

Since the start of the 2022-2023 season, no player in the Serie A has missed more penalties than Osimhen, who has failed to convert three of the seven spot-kicks he has taken.

Against Juventus, Napoli were awarded a penalty after the referee deemed  a tackle from the young Belgian midfielder Joseph Nonge caught Osimhen on the ankle with five minutes left on the clock.

Although Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saved Osimhen's spot-kick, the former Arsenal star was unable to prevent Giacomo Raspadori from scoring on the rebound.

Giaccherini has highlighted the importance of the number 9 to the Napoli squad and stressed that his performance should not be evaluated solely based on his missed penalties. 

Speaking after Napoli's historic win against Juventus, Giaccherini said on Radio Crc, via Il Napolista: "Penalties are wrong, we know. That's not what you judge a player by.

"What I look at is the work that Osimhen does, bringing with him more than one opponent. Kvara also benefited from this. This duo can be Napoli's added value in Italy and Europe ."

Since his return from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Osimhen has scored five goals in four appearances, including a hat-trick against Sassuolo. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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