Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen was involved in a fallout with former Barcelona defender Yerry Mina
Barely two minutes into Napoli’s away game with Cagilari, Osimhen, and Mina, a former Barcelona defender who is infamously known for his rough style of defending in the Serie A, since his move from Fiorentina in January, got into a heated altercation.
Mina’s unconventional style of defending
Mina’s style of defending on the pitch has generated controversy, especially because of his unsportsmanlike behavior in a number of encounters. The most notable of them was a grapple with Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna, in which the Colombian defender ended up squeezing the striker’s nipple in an off-the-ball incident.
The incident
This incident is evidence of Mina’s inclination for the so-called ‘dark arts’ of defending, which focus more on physical and psychological intimidation than a normal way of defending.
According to a video posted by FootColic on X, the Colombian defender was marking the AFCON finalist when he grabbed him from the back while Osimhen was trying to get free and make a run into the opponent’s half.
Unable to shake off the defender, Osimhen pushed him to the ground.
Cagliari’s players quickly called the referee’s attention, in a bid to get the striker in trouble, while Osimhen pleaded his case.
Osimhen scores
The 25-year-old striker later went on to score the game’s opening goal in the 65th minute, bringing his tally to eight goals in the Serie A.
