Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen ahead of their high-stakes UEFA Champions League encounter on Wednesday night.
Osimhen has been in devastating form in Europe this season, scoring six goals in five Champions League matches, a return that has made him one of the most feared forwards in the competition.
His prolific displays have placed Galatasaray firmly in the spotlight and ensured Manchester City approach the clash with heightened caution.
At the pre-match conference, Guardiola highlighted the individual quality within the Turkish champions’ squad, with Osimhen singled out for special mention.
“The quality they have,” Guardiola said. “Osimhen is a top-class player,” he noted, while also acknowledging the threat posed by the supporting cast around the striker, including Leroy Sané, the wide players, İlkay Gündoğan and Mario Lemina.
Guardiola went on to underline Galatasaray’s stature and pedigree on the European stage, stressing that City must be fully focused to overcome such opposition.
“Galatasaray are one of the biggest clubs,” he added, urging his players to make “an incredible effort” to secure a positive result.
The significance of the fixture is heightened by the current standings, with Manchester City sitting 11th in the table and Galatasaray placed 17th. Both sides find themselves under pressure and desperate for victory as the group stage reaches a decisive phase, making Wednesday’s showdown a must-win encounter for their European ambitions.
With Osimhen in red-hot form and Guardiola demanding maximum intensity from his players, the stage is set for a compelling Champions League battle, where fine margins could determine the fate of both clubs in the competition.
