Juventus Icon Del Piero Issues Stern Message to Osimhen After UCL First Leg Defeat
Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero has delivered a powerful reaction to the standout performance of Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen during the UEFA Champions League knockout playoff. Osimhen was instrumental in leading Galatasaray to a stunning 5-2 victory over the Italian giants, known as the Old Ladies, in the first leg of the 2025/26 competition.
Osimhen's Dominant Display in Istanbul
The Nigerian international showcased his exceptional skills with two crucial assists in a dominant second-half performance against Juventus. The match, held on Tuesday, February 17, saw Galatasaray take an early lead in the 15th minute through Brazilian forward Gabriel Sara, sparking wild celebrations among the home supporters at the stadium in Istanbul, Turkey.
Juventus managed to equalize just one minute later, with Dutch midfielder Teun Koopmeiners scoring and then adding a second goal in the 32nd minute to give the Italian side a halftime advantage. However, Galatasaray fought back fiercely after the break.
In the 49th minute, Noah Lang restored parity for the Turkish champions after being set up by Barıs Yılmaz, reigniting belief inside the packed arena. The home team surged ahead again in the 60th minute, with Davinson Sanchez finishing from Sara's assist to make it 3-2.
Osimhen played a decisive role in the closing stages of the match. In the 75th minute, the Super Eagles striker assisted Lang for his second goal of the night, and in the 86th minute, he provided his second assist by setting up Sacha Boey to seal an emphatic 5-2 victory for Galatasaray, as reported by Vavel.
Del Piero's Candid Assessment of Osimhen's Impact
Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero, a former three-time UEFA Champions League winner, spoke openly about the impact of Victor Osimhen's performance against Juventus. He emphasized that the presence of the Super Eagles striker struck genuine fear into the hearts of the Juventus defenders throughout the encounter.
Del Piero explained that Osimhen was not only ruthless in front of goal but also displayed remarkable versatility by being practically everywhere on the pitch. In comments shared via Il Bianconero, he stated: "Juventus are struggling to find players today. Beyond Osimhen, who’s better than David, or Icardi, who’s better than Openda, beyond these beliefs, there’s the result on the pitch. Osimhen scares you, his presence scares you, he’s ruthless in front of goal, he has quality."
Galatasaray Coach Buruk Praises Osimhen as World-Class Talent
Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has also heaped praise on Victor Osimhen, describing him as one of the best strikers in the world. According to talkSPORT, the Turkish manager highlighted several key qualities that set the Super Eagles forward apart from his peers.
The 52-year-old coach noted that Osimhen has fully justified his record-breaking signing by the club last year, consistently applying pressure on Juventus defenders throughout the match. Buruk's accolades underscore Osimhen's growing reputation as a top-tier attacker in European football.
Context: Onuachu Leads Osimhen in Turkish Super Lig Scoring
In related news, Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu recently found the net as Trabzonspor fell 3-2 to Fenerbahce in a Turkish Super Lig clash on Saturday, February 14. The 31-year-old striker had missed four weeks of league action due to his participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored against Uganda.
Currently, Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen trails his compatriot Onuachu by seven goals in the Turkish Super Lig scoring charts, adding an intriguing subplot to their respective seasons.
