Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has admitted he would rather avoid Liverpool FC in the upcoming UEFA Champions League last-16 draw after a dramatic European night that saw the Turkish champions eliminate Juventus, Footynaija reports.
Galatasaray advanced following a remarkable 7-5 aggregate victory. Holding a strong advantage from the first leg, the Turkish side appeared comfortable before Juventus mounted a stunning comeback, scoring three unanswered goals to force extra time.
Just when momentum seemed to favour the Italian giants, Osimhen stepped forward again, scoring a decisive extra-time goal before Baris Alper Yilmaz added another to secure qualification.
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The reward for that victory is a last-16 meeting with either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur, with the draw scheduled for Friday morning. Osimhen’s reaction made clear which opponent he would prefer to avoid.
“I mean to be honest with you, meeting Liverpool now is going to be like some sort of revenge.
“Anyone we meet now… I wouldn’t say much but I would like to escape Liverpool.
“But if they come, yeah, we’re going to dig it out but it’s not going to be easy.
“I mean this is Champions League, no team is easy, we can see how flying Bodo/Glimt are really doing in this tournament.
“If you want to win you also have to play the big dogs and make a statement for yourself.
“We’ve met Liverpool but we haven’t played at Anfield. If we meet them it’s going to be an amazing game. I think we’re up to the task, it’s not going to be easy, of course, but we have fight in us.”
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— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 25, 2026
The Nigerian striker already has history against Liverpool this season, having scored the penalty that earned Galatasaray a 1-0 league-phase victory earlier in the campaign.
Beyond qualification, the match also marked a personal milestone. Osimhen’s extra-time finish took his tally to seven goals in eight Champions League appearances this season, making him Galatasaray’s highest-scoring foreign player in the competition, surpassing former Brazilian forward Mario Jardel.
His performance also earned another Player of the Match award, his fourth this campaign.
