Victor Osimhen spoke after Galatasaray’s 1-1 UEFA Champions League draw against Atlético Madrid on Wednesday night, reflecting on the match and his return to the team following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Super Eagles star was included in the starting lineup for Galatasaray and expressed his delight at being back.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Osimhen said, “Of course, I missed everyone, especially the fans, very much. We knew before the match that we would be playing against a strong opponent.”

Osimhen acknowledged his team’s collective effort during the contest.

“I congratulate my teammates for their fight throughout the 90 minutes; we did a good job against a great opponent. The match was 50-50. We had chances to finish the game in some moments. I'm happy with our performance,” he added, highlighting moments where Galatasaray could have secured a victory.

Looking ahead to their next Champions League fixture, Osimhen commented on the challenge posed by Manchester City.

“Manchester City is one of the best teams in the world. We'll take it one game at a time. We'll focus on the league first, then on that game. It won't be easy, but I trust my team. I'm looking at it positively. We can get something out of it. The most important thing is to have a good game, like we did against Atlético,” he said.

The 1-1 draw with Atlético Madrid leaves Galatasaray in a position where they could still secure qualification to the top 24 in the Champions League, depending on results from other fixtures.

Osimhen’s return to the team after the Africa Cup of Nations adds an experienced attacking presence for the Turkish side as they prepare for the crucial clash with Manchester City.

Wale Adejumo