– You have been waiting for your opportunity and finally got to play a few matches against a very good team, says Østigård. news meets the centre-back at the national team meeting in Dublin – this time with a completely different entrance than earlier in the season. Because after several months of little playing time, Østigård has finally started to gain confidence in Napoli. In addition to several minutes in the Italian Serie A, the Norwegian has been seen from the start in the championship games against Rangers and Liverpool. That pleases Østigård, who before the previous meeting had only played one full 90 minutes since his transfer to the Italian big club this summer. – It is my career and I want to play as much as possible, and at the highest possible level. Now I play on one of the best teams in the world, and there is good learning in that too. I feel confident about that choice, he says. JUST ALMOST: Østigård thought he had scored his first Champions League goal against Liverpool, but the goal was later canceled for offside. Photo: JASON CAIRNDUFF / Reuters Stunt went viral As the playing minutes have increased, Østigård has also become a popular man among the Napoli fans – who have had a lot to be happy about with top of the table in Serie A for large parts of the season. Recently, a video of a grinning Østigård running across the track, wearing only underpants, socks and slippers, went viral on social media. It happened after the overtime victory against Atalanta, where Østigård was an unused reserve. That did not stop the Norwegian from being on the offer side. – I was going to give away two kits and then they (the supporters) hung over the fence and asked about the shorts too. Then I took it off and gave it to the fans who had traveled a long way. Then I looked down and saw that I only had my panties left. I didn’t think that far ahead, smiles the Norwegian. – Do you like the attention? – It’s mostly to give back to the fans. It was an important away game that we won, so it was nothing more than that. STUNT: Østigård made the Napoli supporters smile with this maneuver. Photo: Screenshot/Twitter – It’s fun with a bit of a show, he continues. The stunt was met with applause and cheers from the home fans – who are said to have tied the former Molde player to their chest. – He has gained a high standing among the fans, almost an abnormally high standing for having played there for such a short time, says editor at Napoli’s Norwegian supporters website, Daniel Sandhåland to news. He adds that the incident after the Atalanta game was particularly well received by the supporters: – Napoli fans appreciate that. He is a player who offers himself both on and off the pitch. Then you will be well liked. – In summary, he has almost become a cult hero, not far from it. He values the fans, continues the supporter leader. – What you want On Thursday, he also showed himself with his first national team goal against Ireland. The last international match of the season against Finland awaits Østigård on Sunday. He is aware of the importance of coming into the group with several games in his legs. – I have always been very happy to play matches. That is what you want. So it’s a little different now than before, when you play on what are currently among the best teams in the world. Then of course it’s tougher, but I’ve always had faith that I can do it. I’m quite new in Napoli and it will take some time, but now I’ve had some good matches and have to build on that, he says. See Østigård’s goal here: – You haven’t felt any pressure in terms of national team games? – It is of course important to play matches. I have done that throughout my career. It is different now that you are in such a good team, but I feel in good shape and then it will be important to get as many games as you can. I feel fine. The form and recent performances have also made his club coach Luciano Spalletti roll his eyes. “Østigård is one of the best head players I have ever coached,” the Napoli coach stated at a press conference in October. – There is a great compliment to Østigård, because he has trained many good stoppers. I think he can eventually play week in week out, says Sandhåland. Norway meets Finland at Ullevaal on Sunday at 2 p.m.
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