Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has shifted his focus to a daunting Champions League encounter against Manchester City following his successful reintegration into the Galatasaray starting lineup. The 27-year-old striker recently rejoined the Turkish champions after a prominent campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he helped Nigeria secure a bronze medal.
Osimhen played the full 90 minutes in Wednesday’s tense 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid at RAMS Park, a result that keeps Galatasaray firmly in contention for a place in the knockout phase play-offs.
The upcoming fixture at the Etihad Stadium sets the stage for a blockbuster duel between Osimhen and Erling Haaland, widely considered the two premier center-forwards in global football. Galatasaray currently occupies a position within the top 24 of the league phase standings, but they require a resilient performance in England to finalize their progression. Osimhen expressed immense pride in his team’s collective defensive effort against Atletico and emphasized that the squad remains optimistic about their chances against the reigning Premier League champions.
The Turkish side enters the final matchday with significant momentum despite the difficulty of their remaining schedule. Osimhen noted that while Manchester City represents a world-class challenge, Galatasaray’s recent performance against elite opposition proves they can compete at the highest level. Fans and analysts alike anticipate an explosive showdown as both teams fight for favorable seeding in the Round of 16.
Victor Osimhen shared his excitement and tactical outlook with the club’s official media: “I really missed everyone, especially the fans, a lot. We knew before the game that we would face a tough team. I want to praise my teammates for their effort during the entire 90 minutes; we played well against a strong team. The match was 50-50. We had opportunities to end the game in certain moments. I’m satisfied with how we played. Manchester City is among the best teams in the world. We’ll focus on each game individually.
We’ll start by focusing on the league, and then we’ll look at that game. It won’t be easy, but I believe in my team. I’m looking at it positively. we can get something out of it. The most important thing is to play a good game, just like we did against Atlético.”
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