Galatasaray has handed a major boost to its European ambitions by including talismanic forward Victor Osimhen in the traveling squad for Wednesday’s decisive UEFA Champions League playoff second leg against Juventus. The Turkish Süper Lig champions officially confirmed the 27-year-old’s availability via their website on Tuesday evening, quelling intense speculation regarding a potential injury absence. Concerns had mounted after the Nigerian international missed Saturday’s 2-0 league defeat to Konyaspor, but his return to the roster suggests he has overcome the physical hurdles that sidelined him over the weekend.
The striker’s recovery process involved a disciplined rehabilitation program, which began with isolated gym sessions on Sunday to manage minor knee inflammation. However, the Super Eagles star successfully rejoined his teammates for high-intensity training sessions on both Monday and Tuesday, demonstrating sufficient mobility to warrant selection for the trip to Turin. Head coach Okan Buruk now has his primary offensive weapon available as Galatasaray looks to defend their substantial 5-2 first-leg advantage at the Allianz Stadium.
“The Nigeria international spent Sunday in the gym as he looked to get in shape for the Galatasaray clash. The 27-year-old, however, trained with his teammates on Monday and Tuesday.”
Osimhen’s presence remains statistically vital for the Istanbul giants, as he has already tallied six goals and two assists in seven Champions League appearances this season. His performance in the first leg proved particularly destructive, where his movement and vision allowed teammates like Noa Lang and Yunus Akgün to exploit gaps in the Italian defense. While Italian media suggests Juventus may deploy a specialized man-marking strategy to contain him, the mere inclusion of Osimhen provides a significant psychological edge for the “Yellow and Reds.”
The stakes remain exceptionally high as Galatasaray aims to reach the Champions League Round of 16 for the first time in over a decade. A successful result in Italy would mark the club’s most significant European achievement since the 2013/14 campaign, where they famously eliminated Juventus in the group stages. With Osimhen leading the line, the Turkish champions possess the necessary fire-power to navigate the hostile atmosphere in Turin and secure their place among the continent’s elite.
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