Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen expressed disappointment with Galatasaray’s performance even as the team secured a thrilling UEFA Champions League playoff win over Juventus, advancing to the Round of 16.
Galatasaray qualified after a dramatic extra-time second-leg victory in Turin, overturning a 3-0 deficit on the night to seal a 7-5 aggregate win, following their 5-2 first-leg advantage at home.
Osimhen scored in the second leg to make it 3-1, helping the Turkish side edge ahead 6-5 on aggregate before Barış Alper Yılmaz netted the decisive goal.
Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, the 27-year-old Nigerian forward gave an honest assessment of the squad’s display. “If I have to be honest, I am disappointed with the performance of the team,” Osimhen said.
He added: “Kudos to Juventus for their display. We qualified, but we have a lot to improve if we face the big clubs in the next round. Some teammates were timid.
I tried to motivate them — I cannot do it alone. They were scared by the crowd and Juventus’ intensity.”
Despite the concerns, Osimhen noted Galatasaray’s resilience, particularly after a red card, stating, “When you let this team play, they can do even more damage. They played better with ten men than with eleven.”
The striker also looked ahead to potential Round of 16 matchups, where Galatasaray could face Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.
“Meeting Liverpool would be like revenge. Anyone we face, it won’t be easy, but we are ready to fight,” he added.
Osimhen’s comments quickly sparked debate on social media, with fans praising his leadership while others questioned if such blunt remarks could create internal tension.
Galatasaray now prepare for the next Champions League challenge, aiming to turn lessons from this tense encounter into stronger performances against Europe’s elite.
