Nigeria international, Victor Osimhen has promised to help Galatasaray overturn their 4-1 first-leg deficit against AZ Alkmaar in their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 playoff tie next Thursday.
The 26-year-old forward, who missed the first leg through suspension, believes the Turkish champions can progress with the support of their fans at the RAMS Park.
“The return match in Istanbul will be very different. With the support of our fans, we will show them the true power of Galatasaray,” Osimhen told Fotomac.
“I will score my goals. Leave AZ Alkmaar to me. We will be the side that advances. I am sure of that. Everyone should keep their morale high.”
Former Turkish manager Önder Özen had highlighted Osimhen’s absence, alongside those of Lucas Torreira and Davinson Sánchez, as key factors in Galatasaray’s poor performance in the Netherlands.
“No Torreira, no Davinson Sanchez, no Osimhen. You can’t play the same game without the three important players in the backbone,” Özen said via habersarikirmizi.
“This is the first time I’ve seen Galatasaray this disorganized in the last two and a half seasons.”
The Nigeria international has been in outstanding form since joining Galatasaray on loan from Napoli last summer, scoring 17 goals and providing six assists in 23 appearances across all competitions.
In the Europa League specifically, Osimhen has netted four goals in six matches, demonstrating his importance to Okan Buruk’s side.
The striker earned his suspension after picking up a third yellow card in Galatasaray’s 2-1 loss to Ajax, where he scored a late consolation goal in the group stage game.
The winners of the tie will face either Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16 next month.
Credit: punchng.com
