Champion League
Giorgio Chiellini Wary of Victor Osimhen as Juventus Prepare for Galatasaray Playoff Clash
Juventus executive and club legend Giorgio Chiellini has singled out Victor Osimhen as a major threat ahead of the Bianconeri’s UEFA Champions League playoff tie against Galatasaray, scheduled to be played between February 17 and 24.
Speaking to Sky Sport following the Champions League draw, Chiellini admitted the Nigerian striker immediately came to mind when Juventus were paired with the Turkish giants.
“I would relish the opportunity to face Osimhen; right now, I wouldn’t last even two minutes! He’s an incredibly strong striker,” Chiellini said with a smile.
“When we were matched up against Galatasaray, my thoughts immediately went to Osimhen and that 2013 match in Istanbul.”
Chiellini noted that the upcoming tie offers Juventus a chance to rewrite history following their painful elimination in Istanbul in 2013, but warned that Osimhen’s qualities make the task far from easy.
“This presents a solid chance to change the narrative around our last encounter in Istanbul. He possesses outstanding skill, particularly with his deep runs. However, Galatasaray is not solely defined by him; they have numerous key players who have emerged from Serie A. We hold Galatasaray in high regard,” he added.
Legendary Italian coach Fabio Capello also weighed in on the matchup, stressing the difficulty of playing Galatasaray on home soil.
“The atmosphere at Ali Sami Yen Rams Park is electric. The pressure from their fans is immense; Galatasaray becomes an entirely different team when playing at home,” Capello told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Juventus must approach the first match with caution. With familiar faces like Osimhen and Icardi on the pitch, this away game will undoubtedly be challenging.”
The playoff tie promises to be a high-stakes encounter, with Juventus bracing themselves for both the intimidating Istanbul atmosphere and the attacking threat posed by Osimhen and Galatasaray’s star-studded squad.
