Victor Osimhen picked up from where he left off last season scoring a brace in Napoli’s 3-1 comeback win over newcomers Frosinone in their Italian Series A opener on Saturday. 

The Partenopei began their title defense against the team that clinched the Serie B championship last season, despite both squads undergoing coaching changes during the summer. Napoli were without Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa who were out due to injuries.

Frosinone took the lead in the seventh minute from the penalty spot through Abdou Harroui, however, the defending champions responded six minutes later through Matteo Politano in the 13th minute. 

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Osimhen smashed the ball into the net in the 42nd minute as the defending champions went into the halftime break with a 2-1 lead. The game was put beyond their hosts in the 79th minute to take the scoreline to 3-1 and hand new manager Rudi Garcia his first win. 

Reacting to the win and his performance, the Nigeria international said he is delighted with his brace and hopes the team can continue the way they have started.

“It was important to start well, congratulations to the team but also to the opponent, who played very well. I’m happy to have contributed two goals, we must continue like this,” Osimhen told DAZN after the match.

The brace for Osimhen means he has scored the joint-most goals in the Big-5 European leagues in the calendar year 2023: 18 goals, alongside Harry Kane, according to OptaPaolo.