Sporting CP goalkeeper Rui Silva has warned his teammates not to underestimate Galatasaray despite the absence of injured Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash, Footynaija.com reports.
Galatasaray will be without their star striker when they travel to Lisbon for Wednesday’s league-phase opener, with Osimhen ruled out after suffering a fresh adductor strain.
The Nigerian striker’s absence represents a major blow for the Turkish champions, but Silva believes Galatasaray still possess enough attacking quality to cause Sporting problems.
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“He’s a goalscorer, an excellent player, but without him, they certainly have very high-quality options to fill that void,” Silva said as revealed by Record.
“Offensively they are very strong and we have to be at our best defensively.”
Silva’s warning comes despite Sporting heading into the contest with an impressive record against Turkish opposition and strong European form at home.
Sporting have won four of their last five matches against Turkish clubs, while they have also won eight of their last 10 European home matches.
Galatasaray, meanwhile, have struggled considerably on their travels in European competition, winning just one of their last 15 away matches in UEFA competitions.
However, the Portuguese goalkeeper is clearly taking little comfort from those numbers as Sporting prepare for their first competitive meeting with Galatasaray.
Osimhen’s absence will be particularly significant for the visitors following the Nigerian’s prolific start to the current campaign after playing a key role in Galatasaray’s success last term.
The Turkish champions will therefore have to find another route to goal in Lisbon, with their other attacking options expected to shoulder the responsibility of finding a way past Sporting in Osimhen’s absence.
Sporting will be hoping to make home advantage count when the two sides meet at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Wednesday, with Silva and his teammates aware that keeping Galatasaray’s attack quiet could prove decisive.
