“I trust my team” – Victor Osimhen looking to bury Manchester City in final UCL Group phase game

Jan 22, 2026 - 02:30
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“I trust my team” – Victor Osimhen looking to bury Manchester City in final UCL Group phase game

Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen is hungry to get a win against Manchester City following his side's draw to Atletico Madrid last night, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 27-year-old has just returned with a bronze medal at the AFCON 2025 tournament, scoring four goals and was included in the competition's best eleven.

Osimhen couldn't finish the semi-final clash against Morocco in the semi-final due to an injury. The same ankle problem caused him to miss the third-place clash against Egypt.

However, he was sent into Galatasaray's starting lineup against Diego Simeone's men tonight, even playing all 90 minutes.

Victor Osimhen, Davinson Sanchez, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Marcos Llorente during the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray SK and Atletico de Madrid
Victor Osimhen, Davinson Sanchez, Abdulkerim Bardakci, and Marcos Llorente during the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray SK and Atletico de Madrid at Rams Park Stadium on January 21, 2026, in Istanbul, Turkey. Copyright: ImagoxBSRxAgencyx

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Victor Osimhen eyes win over Manchester City in final UCL Group game

Giuliano Simeone broke the deadlock inside four minutes at RAMS Park, but an own goal by Marcos Llorente, courtesy of a Rolland Sallai cut-back, levelled the score for Okan Buruk's men on the 20th minute mark.

There were no further goals in the game, although Atletico Madrid had the upper hand against the home side.

After the game, Osimhen revealed he missed the Galatasaray fans after spending a month away on national team duty with Morocco.

“Of course, I miss everyone so much, even the fans. We knew we'd play against a strong opponent before the game,” the former Napoli man said in quotes revealed by Galatasaray's official website.

Victor Osimhen during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League match between Galatasaray SK and Atletico de Madrid
Victor Osimhen during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League match between Galatasaray SK and Atletico de Madrid at Rams Park Stadium on January 21, 2026, in Istanbul, Turkey. Copyright: ImagoxBSRxAgencyx

“I congratulate my teammates, in a 90-minute battle against a tough team like this, we did a good job against a great opponent.

“The game was like 50-50. In some places, we had a chance to finish the game, but I'm happy with our performance.

A draw now means Galatasaray have to defeat Manchester City in their final group phase game to qualify for the play-offs.

Should they lose, their European campaign will most likely come to an end, but Osimhen doesn't want that.

“Manchester City is one of the best teams in the world. We're going to play a game. We'll focus on the league, then we'll focus on that game.

“It won't be easy, but I trust my team. I'm looking at it positively, and we can get something out of there. Let's play a good game as we played against Atletico, that's the most important,” the 2023 African Player of the Year concluded.

Victor Osimhen, Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Sara, Eren Elmali, during the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray SK and Atletico de Madrid
Victor Osimhen, Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Sara, Eren Elmali, during the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray SK and Atletico de Madrid at Rams Park Stadium on January 21, 2026, in Istanbul, Turkey. Copyright: ImagoxBSRxAgencyx

Galatasaray will travel to the Etihad to face Manchester City in seven days. Pep Guardiola's side will qualify for the play-offs regardless of whatever happens in the game, but a win could help secure automatic qualification to the Champions League final sixteen.

 

 

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