(DDM) — Nigerian international striker Victor Osimhen has declared that Galatasaray will fight hard to overcome Liverpool F.C. when both sides meet in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
The Super Eagles forward made the statement ahead of Tuesday’s crucial knockout match scheduled to take place in Istanbul, where Galatasaray will attempt to secure a home advantage against the English giants.
Osimhen’s comments come shortly after his impressive performance in the Istanbul derby, where he scored the decisive goal that helped Galatasaray defeat fierce rivals Beşiktaş J.K..
The victory has boosted confidence within the Galatasaray camp as the team shifts focus to one of its biggest European tests this season.
Despite the morale-boosting win, Osimhen acknowledged that facing Liverpool at this stage of the competition will be a significant challenge.
According to the Nigerian striker, he would have preferred to avoid the Premier League champions during the early knockout rounds but accepted that such difficult matchups are part of elite European football.
“The victory against Besiktas will of course lift us, but we need to keep our feet on the ground,” Osimhen said while addressing reporters.
He described Liverpool as a strong and ambitious team with a reputation for performing well in European competitions.
However, the striker believes Galatasaray’s home support in Istanbul could give the Turkish champions an important edge.
Galatasaray’s stadium is widely known for its intense atmosphere during European nights, with passionate supporters often creating a challenging environment for visiting teams.
“We will be playing at home, which is an advantage for us,” Osimhen added.
“If we are careful and build on what we learned from the Besiktas match, I am confident we will perform well, even though it will not be easy.”
Osimhen’s confidence is partly based on past encounters between the two clubs.
During last season’s Champions League group stage, Galatasaray managed to defeat Liverpool in Istanbul, with the Nigerian forward scoring the decisive goal from the penalty spot.
That result remains one of the club’s most memorable European victories in recent years.
Liverpool, however, enter the upcoming clash with their own strong pedigree in the Champions League, having won the competition multiple times and consistently reaching the latter stages of the tournament.
Football analysts say the Round of 16 encounter could be one of the most closely contested ties of the knockout phase, given the attacking quality on both sides.
For Osimhen, the match also represents another opportunity to demonstrate his growing influence in European football and reinforce his reputation as one of Africa’s most dangerous forwards.
With both teams aiming for a place in the quarter-finals, the Istanbul showdown promises to deliver a high-intensity battle as Galatasaray attempts to halt Liverpool’s European ambitions.
