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Victor Osimhen has called for Galatasaray to face Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 following their qualification on Wednesday night.
The Nigerian striker stated this in his post-match interview with CBS Sport, after scoring the crucial goal that bailed out the Turkish champions in the face of a spirited Juventus’ comeback.
Galatasaray qualified for the last 16 stage of the competition for the first time in 12 years, and when asked to choose between the Liverpool, whom they defeated 1-0 in Istanbul during the UCL league phase thanks to Osimhen’s first half penalty, and Tottenham, a bullish Osimhen looks forward to another meeting with the Reds.
“To be honest with you, meeting Liverpool now will be some sort of revenge [for them]. I would like to escape Liverpool but if they come, we are going to dig it out, it is not going to be easy.
“So, if you try to win [the Champions League title], you have to also play the big dogs and make a statement for yourself.
“I think we’ve met Liverpool [in the league phase], but we haven’t played at Anfield.
“If we meet them it is going to be an amazing game, but I think we are up to the task. It is not going to be easy. We have the fight [in this team],” Osimhen said.
He also took a swipe at the Galatasaray team for losing their three-goal first leg lead to ten-man Juventus in th second leg. A visibly angry Osimhen did not celebrate his crucial goal, and labeled the team’s performance “disappointing”.
Osimhen, who shared a laugh with Thierry Henry for his “how body” question in pidgin, also stated his relief at Galatasaray’s qualification despite the listless performance.
“Qualification gives a kind of sense of relief, but I have to be honest, I am disappointed in the performance of the team, the whole team, and I have to give kudos to Juventus for the kind of display that they put on.
“Yes, we qualified, but we have a lot to improve on if we are to go into the next round and play the big dogs.
“This performance today was not really good, Juventus deserve the win but I am happy for my team to qualify for the next round,” he said.
Osimhen and Galatasaray will know their round of 16 opponent- either Tottenham or Liverpool- on Friday, February 27. (Daily Trust)
