“He is one of the strikers in the world”

Barcelona defender Joao Cancelo has praised Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen ahead of their clash in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Blaugrana take on Serie A kings Napoli in the second leg of their UCL tie at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday as their stadium is currently undergoing renovations. The first leg in Naples ended in a 1-1 draw, with Robert Lewandowski giving Barcelona the lead and Osimhen equalizing 15 minutes before time.

Both teams meet again this week in a winner-takes-all clash. And both teams are wary of the threat that the other poses.

Ahead of the game, Barcelona full-back Cancelo has praised Nigerian attacker Osimhen. He also recognizes the threat that the Napoli star poses.

“Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen, and Politano are exceptional talents. Osimhen scored against us in the first leg with half a chance. He is one of the best strikers in the world,” Cancelo said per Napoli Magazine.

In the first leg, Napoli were poor and created very few chances. So, Osimhen had just one crack at goal. However, that was just Francesco Calzona’s first game in charge of the Napoli.

Since that game, Napoli have scored ten goals in four matches. Napoli are expected to present a sterner test for the reigning Spanish champions, and Osimhen would be leading that charge.