Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has identified Victor Osimhen as one of Galatasaray’s biggest threats ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League showdown at RAMS Park, warning his players that they will need their best football to survive the test in Istanbul.
The warning comes at an important moment for Osimhen, who has just returned from a groin injury and is pushing to make his first start in more than a month.
Speaking after Barcelona’s 3-0 victory over Getafe, Flick described the Super Eagles striker as a “fantastic” forward while also highlighting the quality throughout Galatasaray’s squad.
Flick identifies the danger
Barcelona have made an impressive start to the season, but Flick is refusing to treat Tuesday’s trip as routine.
The German coach is particularly conscious of two factors: Galatasaray’s squad and the atmosphere awaiting Barcelona at RAMS Park.
“We’ll be playing in the world’s loudest stadium,” Flick said, stressing that Champions League football presents a different challenge.
When attention turned to Galatasaray’s attack, Osimhen received special recognition.
Flick called the Nigerian a “fantastic striker” and said Barcelona would have to produce their best football against the Turkish champions.
Osimhen returns just in time
The timing could hardly be better for Galatasaray.
Osimhen returned from a groin injury during Friday’s 3-1 victory over Kasımpaşa, coming off the bench and contributing an assist.
It was his first appearance in about five weeks after suffering the injury against İstanbul Başakşehir.
Despite the interruption, the Nigerian has produced six goals and three assists in five Süper Lig appearances this season.
He is now expected to be available for Tuesday’s Champions League fixture, giving Galatasaray back their most dangerous attacking weapon for one of their biggest games of the season.
Osimhen also has a warning for Galatasaray
The respect is mutual.
Osimhen has acknowledged the quality Barcelona possess and believes Galatasaray will need to combine aggression with discipline against a team comfortable dominating possession.
But rather than fear the occasion, the Nigerian is embracing it.
He described facing Barcelona at RAMS Park as a major occasion for both Galatasaray and the players, saying the squad is ready to confront whatever Tuesday brings.
He has faced Barcelona before
This will not be Osimhen’s first experience against the Catalan giants.
During his time with Napoli, he faced Barcelona four times, recording one goal and one assist. He has yet to beat them, with those meetings producing two draws and two defeats.
His most memorable contribution came in February 2024 when he scored Napoli’s equaliser in a 1-1 Champions League round-of-16 first-leg draw.
Barcelona eventually won the return leg 3-1.
Now Osimhen gets another opportunity — this time wearing Galatasaray colours and with the famous RAMS Park crowd behind him.
Galatasaray already under pressure
Tuesday’s fixture also carries significant importance for the Turkish champions after they opened their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 defeat away to Sporting CP.
Barcelona, meanwhile, started emphatically, beating Feyenoord 5-1.
Galatasaray therefore need a response.
And with Osimhen returning just in time, Barcelona already know exactly where much of the danger could come from.
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