Kvaratskhelia hopes PSG draw Galatasaray for reunion with Osimhen

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia says he would love Paris St-Germain to face Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League, giving him the opportunity to play against his former Napoli team-mate Victor Osimhen.

The pair won a championship together in Naples, but Kvaratskhelia has not yet faced Osimhen as an opponent. A meeting between PSG and Galatasaray would change that, with the Georgian particularly keen to experience the atmosphere at the Turkish club’s stadium.

Asked about Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia highlighted the range of qualities that have made the Nigeria striker such a significant attacking threat.

“Osimhen is truly a fantastic striker,” Kvaratskhelia said. “He runs, presses, shoots, heads the ball, and sometimes even makes unexpected assists.

“We won a really beautiful championship in Naples together with him, but we haven’t faced each other as opponents yet (laughing). Of course, I’d love to play against him.

“Especially at Galatasaray’s stadium. This year, I watched Galatasaray in the Champions League, and at their home, they really did incredible things, and they have a fantastic fan group.”

Kvaratskhelia said he had also followed Osimhen’s celebrations on Instagram and believes the striker’s posts helped explain his decision to join Galatasaray.

“I also had the chance to watch Osimhen’s celebrations on his Instagram account,” he said. “There’s truly an amazing atmosphere there. I understand better now why Osimhen chose that place.”

Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen were part of the Napoli side that secured the championship in Naples, but their careers have since taken them in different directions. The prospect of meeting in the UEFA Champions League now appeals to Kvaratskhelia, who singled out Galatasaray’s supporters and home atmosphere as particular reasons for wanting the fixture.

A PSG-Galatasaray tie would therefore bring former team-mates together on opposite sides for the first time, with Kvaratskhelia hoping to visit the stadium where he has watched the Turkish club produce what he described as “incredible” performances in this year’s Champions League.