Victor Osimhen has warned of an emotionally charged Istanbul derby as Galatasaray prepare to face Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig on Monday, Bold Sports reports.
The Nigerian striker wants his team to secure a crucial victory at RAMS Park. Three points would strengthen Galatasaray’s title challenge and increase their advantage over their fierce rivals.
Osimhen arrives after scoring in Galatasaray’s 4-2 Champions League victory over Lille on Wednesday. He also has six league goals this season. His latest European strike helped Galatasaray recover from a 2-1 deficit. Meanwhile, his scoring record makes him a key figure ahead of this decisive domestic encounter.
Osimhen expects an intense Istanbul derby
Galatasaray have collected 19 points from eight league matches. They sit three points above Fenerbahce, who remain close behind. A victory would also move Galatasaray above league leaders Amedspor. The leaders have 20 points but have played one additional match.
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However, Osimhen understands that this rivalry involves more than league standings. The Nigerian forward expects emotions to run high when the city’s biggest rivals meet.
“When you talk about the derby game, you talk about a very intense one and full of emotions and chaos,” he told pre-match media, as reported by ESPN.
“But we’re looking forward to it. These are the kind of games you win and you can say you’re halfway through the championship.”
The striker also acknowledged Fenerbahce’s quality. However, he believes playing at RAMS Park could give Galatasaray an important advantage.
“It’s not going to be easy, definitely. They are also a good side,” he said. “But they’re coming to RAMS Park, and this is a big advantage for us.”
Previous meeting offers a reminder of the rivalry
Osimhen has already experienced the intensity surrounding this fixture. In April last year, he scored twice as Galatasaray defeated Fenerbahce 2-1 away in the Turkish Cup quarterfinals.
Both teams enter Monday’s contest with consecutive league victories. Galatasaray defeated Kasimpasa 3-1 before edging Genclerbirligi 1-0. Fenerbahce, meanwhile, recorded successive 3-0 wins against Rizespor and Alanyaspor.
Galatasaray also defeated Fenerbahce in last season’s Super Lig title race. They now hope another victory will strengthen their position in the current campaign.
Nigerian striker dismisses concerns about confidence
Osimhen has faced questions about his confidence whenever he fails to score. However, the striker insists that difficult moments do not frighten him.
“I just try to do my best. Most of the time, the game don’t go how I want, not just for me, but for the team.
“But this doesn’t mean I’m nervous. I came from a place where I am not scared of challenges.”
The Nigerian enjoyed an outstanding 2024-25 campaign during his initial loan spell at Galatasaray. He scored 37 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions. His 26 league goals earned him the Super Lig Golden Boot.
Those performances helped Galatasaray secure both the league title and the Turkish Cup. Osimhen remains confident in his abilities despite the pressure surrounding his individual performances.
“Nobody can tell me how to make these runs, how to play my ball, how to score my goals,” he said. “This is the kind of thing that I do. It is the reason why I’m here, it’s the reason why I’m one of the very best strikers in the world.”
Osimhen puts Galatasaray above individual achievements
Despite his personal ambitions, Osimhen recognises that collective success remains the priority. He believes individual performances must serve the club’s broader objectives.
His approach reflects the importance of teamwork as Galatasaray pursue another successful domestic campaign. A victory over Fenerbahce would strengthen their title challenge and provide another significant moment in Istanbul’s fierce football rivalry.
For Osimhen, the immediate objective is clear: deliver when his team needs him most and help Galatasaray emerge victorious from one of Turkish football’s biggest occasions.
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