Osimhen names Premier League club Galatasaray must avoid in Champions League Last 16

Victor Osimhen has admitted he would prefer Galatasaray to avoid Liverpool in Friday’s UEFA Champions League last-16 draw.

The Turkish champions booked their place in the knockout stage after edging past Juventus on Wednesday night.

Galatasaray required extra time to eliminate the Serie A side after Juventus scored three unanswered goals to level the contest at 5–5 on aggregate.

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Osimhen restored his side’s aggregate advantage in extra time before Baris Alper Yilmaz added another to seal progression for the Istanbul club.

Galatasaray will now face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in the round of 16, with the draw scheduled on Friday.

Notably, Galatasaray defeated Liverpool 1–0 during the league phase earlier this season, with Osimhen converting a first-half penalty to secure victory over Arne Slot’s side in September.

However, the Nigerian striker acknowledged the challenge of facing the Premier League leaders again.

“I mean, to be honest with you, meeting Liverpool now is going to be like some sort of revenge,” Osimhen told CBS Sports.

“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.

“This is the Champions League; no team is easy. We can see how flying Bodo/Glimt are 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.”