Victor Osimhen admitted to mixed feelings after Galatasaray secured a place in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, despite suffering a 3–2 defeat to Juventus in Turin on Wednesday night.
The Turkish champions advanced 7–5 on aggregate, having built a decisive cushion with a dominant 5–2 first-leg victory in Istanbul.
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Juventus mounted a spirited response at the Allianz Stadium, claiming a deserved win on the night, but ultimately fell short of overturning the deficit.
Speaking after the game, Osimhen expressed relief at qualification while openly criticising his side’s display.
“There’s some relief because we qualified, but honestly I’m disappointed with the performance of the team — the whole team,” the striker said.
“Credit to Juventus for how they played. Yes, we’re through, but we have a lot to improve if we want to compete with the big teams in the next round.”
Osimhen, who was influential across both legs, conceded that the Italian giants merited victory on the night.
“Our performance wasn’t good enough today. Juventus deserved to win, but the most important thing is that we qualified.”
The Nigerian also revealed he tried to prepare his teammates for the hostile atmosphere in Turin.
“I warned them how tough it is to come here and try to get a result. I’ve played in this stadium before and I know how difficult it can be,” he explained.
“Some players were a bit timid. I tried to motivate them, but I can’t do it alone. Sometimes the crowd and the way Juventus play can intimidate you — it happens in football.”
Despite his concerns, Osimhen stressed the need for improvement rather than dwelling on the negatives.
“When people don’t listen, you just keep pushing. We know we must improve, and we have to move forward.”
Looking ahead to the round-of-16 draw, Galatasaray could be paired with either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur. Osimhen was clear about his preference.
“Playing Liverpool now would feel like revenge, but honestly, I’d rather avoid them,” he said with a smile. “If they come, we’ll fight. This is the Champions League — there are no easy games. To win it, you have to face the big teams and make a statement.”
Galatasaray now await the draw, buoyed by qualification but mindful of Osimhen’s warning that a significant step up in performance will be required to progress further in Europe’s elite competition.
