Galatasaray is poised for a crucial turnaround in the UEFA Champions League as they aim to secure advancement without relying solely on their upcoming match against Manchester City. The team’s attacking ace, Victor Osimhen, has rejoined the squad following the Africa Cup of Nations, providing a boost to the technical staff.
Osimhen has made a significant impact in European competitions, having netted goals against Liverpool, Bodo/Glimt, and Ajax, bringing his total to 12 goals while wearing the Galatasaray jersey. With a goal against Atletico Madrid, the Nigerian star could become the club’s highest-scoring foreign player in European competitions, matching and surpassing the records set by legends like Nonda and Baros.
Having last played on December 13, 2025, against Antalyaspor, the 27-year-old striker missed six matches due to the Africa Cup of Nations. After Nigeria secured a third-place finish in the tournament, Osimhen made his return to the Galatasaray squad 39 days later.
His comeback has intensified competition within the attack. With Osimhen back in the lineup, Mauro Icardi finds himself on the bench, despite being just one goal shy of equaling Hagi’s record as the club’s all-time foreign top scorer. Icardi will be looking for opportunities to either equalize or break this longstanding record, adding to the tension and excitement within the team as they prepare for their pivotal matches ahead.
This overview of Galatasaray’s current situation highlights both the challenges and the promising future they face with the players now in contention for crucial matches as they seek to secure their place in the next stage of the tournament.