Osimhen warns Galatasaray ahead of Barca clash

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has warned Galatasaray about the quality of Barcelona’s players ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash on Tuesday, insisting that the Spanish giants will provide a stern test for the Turkish champions, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
“Barcelona is a very big team. You shouldn’t be happy about playing against them, because they have very quality players. It will help us both collectively and individually. I’m happy for matches like this. It will be a great match,” Osimhen said, per Futbol Arena.
The 27-year-old spoke after returning from a groin injury in Galatasaray’s 3-1 victory over Kasımpaşa in the Turkish Super Lig on Friday, providing an assist to help his side secure the win despite being reduced to 10 men.
Osimhen, who had missed several matches through injury, came off the bench and set up Mario Lemina’s 96th-minute goal to seal the victory at RAMS Park.
Galatasaray had taken the lead through Abdülkerim Bardakcı in the first half but were pegged back when Jesurun Rak-Sakyi equalised in the 68th minute. Lucas Torreira’s dismissal in the 65th minute had left the hosts with an uphill task before Barış Alper Yılmaz restored their advantage in the 90th minute.

Osimhen also expressed his excitement about another Champions League night at RAMS Park, where he has experienced several European fixtures since joining the Turkish side.
The Barcelona encounter will offer the Nigerian another opportunity to face the Spanish giants, having previously played against them during his time at Napoli. He scored in a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their 2024 Champions League round-of-16 tie, but Napoli lost the return leg 3-1 and were eliminated.

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Galatasaray will need to improve on their opening performance in this season’s competition after suffering a 3-1 defeat away to Sporting CP. Barcelona, meanwhile, began their campaign with a commanding 5-1 victory over Feyenoord.
The Turkish champions have also struggled in previous meetings with Barcelona, recording one win, two draws, and five defeats in eight Champions League encounters with the Catalan club.
With Osimhen back from injury and already making an impact, Galatasaray will hope the Nigerian forward can help them claim their first points of the league phase when they host Barcelona.

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