Galatasaray assistant coach: "Victor Osimhen is suited for defenses like Barcelona's"

The Nigerian is ready to face Barcelona.

Europe Today at 18:06

Add Foot Africa on Google

Galatasaray assistant coach: "Victor Osimhen is suited for defenses like Barcelona's"

Getty Images

13.10.26 15:00 Champions League

Galatasaray

Barcelona

Galatasaray's coaching staff have delivered a timely boost ahead of their Champions League showdown, with assistant coach Ismael García confirming that Victor Osimhen is ready to take on Barcelona.

The Nigerian striker made his long-awaited return from injury over the weekend, stepping back onto the pitch for the Turkish giants. Now, according to García, he is set to feature against the Catalan side — and his presence could spell serious trouble for Hansi Flick's backline.

read more: UCL (MD2) / Galatasaray - Barcelona: which channels and what time can you watch the match live?

García did not hold back in his assessment, describing Osimhen as the "perfect" weapon to exploit Barcelona's defensive vulnerabilities. In his eyes, the striker possesses exactly the qualities needed to unsettle the visitors and tip the contest in Galatasaray's favour.

With Osimhen back in the fold, the Turkish side will fancy their chances of asking some difficult questions of a Barcelona defence that has shown cracks in recent outings.

Ismael García is confident in Osimhen's abilities

There was no hedging, no careful diplomacy — just straight talk. García wanted it known that Osimhen is fit, available, and a game-changer for Galatasaray.

"I'm not going to tell you clichés or lies: he's ready to play and he's a completely differential player for us. Obviously, he's there to play," he told Diario Sport.

And that was only the beginning of his praise. The assistant coach went on to explain why Barcelona, of all opponents, might be the ideal prey for the Nigerian striker.

"And I'll tell you more: the top players do well in every game, but perhaps, because of Barcelona's way of defending, so aggressive and with the defensive line in the middle of the field, Osimhen is the striker who, due to his characteristics, is perfect against that type of defense."

Garcia emphasizes the difficulty of the match against Barcelona

Yet for all his conviction about Osimhen, García was honest enough to acknowledge the scale of the challenge awaiting his side — and he found a rather vivid way to describe it.

"Yes, of course. In the end, playing against Barça is like going to the dentist: you know it's going to hurt, but you have to go and take it as well as possible," he added.

Still, the mood in the Galatasaray camp is far from defeatist.

"Hopefully things go well. We know that they are possibly the most in-form team in Europe, but we are confident that we can put them in trouble."

Both sides arrive at the clash in winning form. Barcelona prepared with a 3-0 victory over Getafe in La Liga, while Galatasaray overcame Kasımpaşa 3-1 to hold onto top spot in the Turkish Super Lig.