Jose Mourinho labels Victor Osimhen a 'world-class striker' after Napoli's loss to AS Roma 

Legendary Portuguese football tactician Jose Mourinho labeled Victor Osimhen a 'world-class striker' after Napoli's loss to AS Roma in a thrilling Serie A match at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night.

African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen was the second Napoli player dismissed when he was sent away from the pitch in the 86th minute for two bookable offenses. 

The Nigeria international was yellow carded in the 73rd minute for tripping Diego Llorente and received his marching orders after he was cautioned for fouling Stephan El Shaarawy. 

In total, referee Andrea Colombo issued eleven yellow cards but it was the red cards shown to Osimhen and Matteo Politano that swung the game in the Giallorossi's favour. 

On a night Roma showed they can beat the big sides, goals from Lorenzo Pellegrini and Romelu Lukaku in the final moments of the contest secured the three points for Jose Mourinho's side.

Mourinho praised Diego Llorente for his performance against Napoli and underlined that the Spain international centre-back came out on top in his duel with Osimhen.

In quotes relayed by Roma's official website, Mourinho said post-match: "After a week of hard work, with a coach being very harsh on them, we were able to go out there with better prepared defenders.

"[Evan] Ndicka won more duels. [Diego] Llorente struggled against [Joshua] Zirkzee but today he won lots of duels against a world-class striker in [Victor] Osimhen, beating him to the ball and pressing him well."

Osimhen's red card against AS Roma means he will not be available for selection against Monza on December 29 and will end the 2023 calendar year with 29 goals in all competitions. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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