Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen has disclosed how Galatasaray managed to overcome Italian giants Juventus in their UEFA Champions League playoff clash to secure a place in the knockout stage.
Galatasaray edged past the Turin-based side in a tense encounter, demonstrating resilience and tactical discipline to book their spot in the next round of Europe’s elite competition.
Speaking after the match, Osimhen explained that mental preparation and belief played a crucial role in the victory, particularly given Juventus’ formidable home record and intimidating atmosphere.
“Before going onto the pitch, I tried to prepare my teammates,” Osimhen said. “I explained to them how difficult it is to come here and leave with a win. I’ve played here before; I know how tough it is.”
The Super Eagles striker admitted that some of his teammates appeared overwhelmed at the start of the contest.
“Then, I think some of them were a little timid. When I tried to motivate them and get them to give their best, I realized I couldn’t do it alone.
“I try to push them, I can see it. For some, it’s normal, it’s football. I think a few might have been intimidated by the crowd and the way the opposition started the match.”
Osimhen emphasized that allowing Juventus too much control would have been costly, stressing the need for aggression and focus throughout the encounter.
“But I know this team: if you sit back and let them play, they’ll hurt you. Even after the red card, they played even better than they did with eleven players.”
Despite the qualification, the 25-year-old forward believes there is significant room for improvement within the squad.
“In my opinion, we still have a lot to improve as a team.
When I speak and some people prefer not to listen, I simply focus on my job and keep playing. I have nothing else to add,” he concluded.
The victory marks a significant achievement for Galatasaray as they advance to the Champions League knockout phase, while Juventus bow out at the playoff stage.
