Victor Osimhen Expresses Preference to Avoid Liverpool in Champions League Draw
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has openly admitted his desire for the Turkish champions to avoid facing Liverpool in Friday's highly anticipated Champions League last-16 draw. The Nigerian international made these revealing comments following Galatasaray's dramatic extra-time victory over Juventus in their play-off tie on Wednesday night.
Dramatic Victory Secures Champions League Progression
Galatasaray secured their place in the Champions League knockout stages with a thrilling performance against Juventus that required extra time to decide the outcome. After the Serie A giants scored three unanswered goals to level the aggregate score at 5-5, Osimhen stepped up to put Galatasaray ahead in extra time before Baris Alper Yilmaz sealed the victory with a crucial strike.
The Turkish champions now face either Liverpool or Tottenham in the next round, with the official draw scheduled for 11am on Friday morning. This sets up a potentially intriguing rematch for Galatasaray, who already defeated Liverpool 1-0 during the league phase earlier this season, with Osimhen converting a first-half penalty against Arne Slot's side in September.
Osimhen's Candid Assessment of Potential Opponents
When questioned by CBS Sports about whether he would prefer to face Liverpool or Tottenham in the upcoming Champions League clash, Osimhen provided a remarkably honest response. "I mean to be honest with you, meeting Liverpool now is going to be like some sort of revenge," the striker explained.
"Anyone we meet now... I wouldn't say much but I would like to escape Liverpool. But if they come, yeah, we're going to dig it out but it's not going to be easy."
Osimhen emphasized the challenging nature of Champions League competition, noting that "no team is easy" in Europe's premier club tournament. He specifically mentioned the impressive performances of Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt as evidence that every opponent presents significant challenges.
Potential Anfield Showdown Looms
The striker acknowledged that while Galatasaray has already faced Liverpool this season, they have yet to experience the atmosphere at Anfield. "We've met Liverpool but we haven't played at Anfield," Osimhen noted. "If we meet them it's going to be an amazing game. I think we're up to the task, it's not going to be easy, of course, but we have fight in us."
Osimhen's comments highlight the psychological aspect of tournament football, where previous encounters and venue considerations can significantly impact team preparations and player mindsets. His admission reflects both respect for Liverpool's quality and confidence in his own team's capabilities.
Premier League Teams' Potential Champions League Opponents
The Champions League draw presents several intriguing possibilities for English clubs:
- Arsenal will face either Bayer Leverkusen or Atalanta
- Chelsea will play either Newcastle United or Paris Saint-Germain
- Liverpool will meet either Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray
- Manchester City will take on either Bodo/Glimt or Real Madrid
- Tottenham will play either Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray
- Newcastle United will face either Chelsea or Barcelona
Osimhen concluded with a statement that captures the essence of Champions League ambition: "If you want to win you also have to play the big dogs and make a statement for yourself." This philosophy will undoubtedly guide Galatasaray's approach regardless of which opponent emerges from Friday's draw.
