Giacomo Raspadori has rarely been a starter in his two seasons at Napoli, but that hasn’t precluded him from putting up interesting stats, especially in the Champions League. As Opta points out, he’s one of only six players born after 2000 to have scored five goals in the top continental competition in the past two campaigns (via OneFootball).
The Napoli attacker joins an exclusive club that includes the very best in the world: Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Erling Haaland, Vinicius, and Julian Alvarez.
Raspadori was confirmed in the lineup for the third Champions League fixture after getting the nod over the weekend. Many expected Giovanni Simeone to start in a natural alternation between the two options to replace Victor Osimhen.
Despite his characteristics, Rudi Garcia has so far preferred the Azzurri starlet as his go-to guy for the no.9 position in relief. He has responded with a goal and an assist in two matches.
Napoli might have to ride Raspadori and Simeone for longer than anticipated, as Osimhen is unlikely to beat his timetable and could stay on the mend also for the first game after the November break versus Atalanta, returning only in the ensuing Champions League contest against Real Madrid, Il Mattino reports. The Nigerian star will take more tests on his thigh lesion in three weeks.
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