Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen ahead of their high-stakes UEFA Champions League clash against Galatasaray this Wednesday, Soccernet.ng reports.
It is a do-or-die situation for both Manchester City and Galatasaray as they square off in their final group stage fixture.
The Cityzens currently sit 11th with 13 points from seven games, while the Turkish champions have amassed 10 points over the same period.
The math is simple for Guardiola’s men: a victory secures a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the Round of 16. Anything less than that will force them into the uncertainty of the Round of 16 playoffs.
Galatasaray, meanwhile, find themselves in 17th place. Sitting just two points above the elimination zone and three points shy of an automatic qualification spot, a win would guarantee their passage to the next round. On the other hand, a draw or a loss could prove catastrophic for the Cimbom, as that could send them packing from the competition.
While Manchester City enter the fixture as overwhelming favorites — boasting superior pedigree and a star-studded squad — Galatasaray have proven to be a resilient force in the tournament so far.
The Turkish side has several familiar faces who once called the Etihad home, including Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane.
However, the man under the spotlight is undoubtedly their record signing and poster boy Victor Osimhen, who has already netted six goals in the competition this season.
”Victor Osimhen is Top-Class” — Pep Guardiola
Speaking ahead of the crunch tie, Guardiola acknowledged the individual brilliance within the Galatasaray squad, reserving special praise for the Super Eagles talisman.
”The quality they have is evident. Osimhen is a top-class player. They link with him effectively. Leroy [Sane] and both wingers are incredibly quick, while Gundo and Lemina provide vital experience,” Guardiola said.
Guardiola’s endorsement of Osimhen as “top-class” carries significant weight. Despite his consistent exploits for club and country, a section of the footballing world remains hesitant to rank the 27-year-old Nigerian among the elite strikers of the decade.
However, coming from a tactical mastermind and serial champion like Guardiola, these comments lend immense credence to Osimhen’s standing in world football.
High praise like this from the City boss is not handed out lightly. It is a confirmation that the 27-year-old is indeed one of football's top marksmen at the moment.
