Head coach Okan Buruk has again underlined the significance of Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray as the Turkish champions prepare for their decisive UEFA Champions League playoff second leg against Juventus in Turin, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The Yellow and Reds head into Wednesday’s encounter holding a commanding 5-2 advantage from the first leg, a match in which Osimhen played a key creative role by providing two assists. Although he did not get on the scoresheet, the Nigerian striker’s influence was widely felt throughout the game.
Osimhen is set to spearhead the attack once more after overcoming a minor knee concern that kept him out of the league trip to Konyaspor last weekend. Buruk expressed confidence that the forward’s presence will be crucial as his side aims to finish the job against the Italian giants.
“Osimhen is valuable to us. It’s important that he plays not just as a goalscorer but as a team player. He always lifts the team up,” Buruk stated.
The Galatasaray boss further explained that while another player claimed the man-of-the-match award in the first leg, Osimhen remained one of the standout performers. According to him, the striker’s overall contribution went beyond statistics, as he played a part in building attacking moves and energizing the team’s performance.
Providing an update on his fitness, Buruk reassured supporters that Osimhen is fully ready for selection. “Osimhen trained with us for the last two days. He’s in a condition to play,” he confirmed.