Galatasaray’s Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is gearing up to spearhead his team’s charge into the UEFA Champions League round of 16, as the Turkish side defends a commanding 5-2 lead against Juventus in the second leg of their knockout play-off set for Turin on Wednesday.
The match represents a pivotal moment for both clubs in Europe’s premier competition, with Osimhen returning to full training on Monday after sitting out Galatasaray’s 2-0 league loss to Konyaspor the previous Saturday. Club officials described his absence as a precautionary measure stemming from a minor knee issue, ensuring he remains fit for the high-stakes encounter.
Osimhen, who delivered two assists in the dominant first-leg victory at home, joined coach Okan Buruk for the pre-match press conference on Tuesday, where he underscored the need for vigilance despite the aggregate advantage. “We’ll take the field with the awareness of having won the first match 5–2, but also with the awareness that our opponent is Juventus. It will be a long 90 minutes, one full of struggle. We’ve done our preparations, and we’re waiting for them,” he said, as reported by PUNCH Sports Extra.
He added, “No match is easy anymore. We could even say that they were the favourites. Right now, 90 minutes will feel like a very long time. But everyone will step onto the field fully prepared.” Osimhen also highlighted how the recent domestic setback has fueled the squad’s determination. “After the poor result we got in the league, there’s added importance to achieving a good outcome here. We are ready for them. We will be just like in the first match. We won’t sit back and defend; we will attack.”
The forward’s history against Juventus adds intrigue to the fixture. During his time in Serie A with Napoli, Osimhen faced the Italian giants seven times, scoring two goals and providing two assists in league matches. Prior to the first leg last week, he had publicly discussed his departure from Napoli, revealing that the club had obstructed a potential transfer to Juventus, according to his earlier statements.
Despite his respect for the opposition, Osimhen expressed personal admiration for Juventus while affirming his dedication to his current team. “If it were possible for me to return to Italy, Juventus is a club where I would take great pleasure in playing. But I am very happy at the club I am currently part of. I am fully committed here,” he stated.
Galatasaray, aiming to advance, hold a strong position after their first-leg triumph, which showcased their attacking prowess. The Turkish champions, under Buruk’s guidance, have navigated a challenging path in the competition, building on their storied European legacy. The club famously won the UEFA Cup in 2000, defeating Arsenal in a penalty shootout to become the first Turkish side to claim a major European trophy, a milestone that cemented their status as continental contenders. Their Champions League campaigns have varied, with notable runs including a quarter-final appearance in 2013, where they pushed Real Madrid before bowing out. Recent seasons have seen them compete in group stages and play-offs, often blending domestic dominance—having secured 24 Super Lig titles—with European ambitions.
Juventus, meanwhile, enter the tie needing a remarkable comeback. The Bianconeri, with nine Champions League finals appearances and two titles (1985 and 1996), have endured a turbulent period marked by financial scandals and managerial changes. Their 1985 victory came amid the Heysel Stadium tragedy, which led to English clubs’ European ban, while the 1996 triumph over Ajax capped a dominant era under Marcello Lippi. Post-Calciopoli in 2006, which stripped them of titles and relegated them, Juventus rebuilt to reach finals in 2015 and 2017, losing to Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively. Current form under Thiago Motta reflects a rebuild, with the club sitting sixth in Serie A as of recent standings, per official league records.
Osimhen’s role underscores Nigeria’s growing footprint in global football. The 27-year-old, who rose from Lagos’ streets to European stardom, won the Serie A title with Napoli in 2023, ending a 33-year drought for the club, and earned the African Footballer of the Year award that year. His loan move to Galatasaray in 2024 followed a fallout with Napoli, injecting fresh dynamism into the Turkish league, where he has scored prolifically. Nigerian players have historically influenced European competitions, from Nwankwo Kanu’s Arsenal exploits in the late 1990s to John Obi Mikel’s Champions League win with Chelsea in 2012.
This clash occurs amid other notable football developments. Atletico Madrid and Manchester United are reportedly vying for Nigerian-born talent Ahanor, according to transfer market updates. Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina has named Cristiano Ronaldo as his toughest career opponent in a recent interview. In Champions League action, Newcastle United advanced to the last 16 with a stunning 9-3 aggregate win, while Bayer Leverkusen eliminated Olympiacos.
