Juventus Legend Del Piero Issues Stern Warning About Victor Osimhen Ahead of Champions League Second Leg
Italian football icon Alessandro Del Piero has delivered a powerful assessment of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen following the Nigerian's dominant performance against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League. The Juventus legend spoke out after witnessing Osimhen's two-assist display that helped Galatasaray secure a stunning 5-2 victory over the Italian giants in their first-leg playoff match on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Galatasaray's Dramatic Comeback Victory Over Juventus
The Champions League encounter at Galatasaray's home stadium in Istanbul began with Brazilian forward Gabriel Sara giving the Turkish champions an early lead in the 15th minute, sending the home supporters into wild celebrations. Juventus responded almost immediately, with Dutch midfielder Teun Koopmeiners equalizing just one minute later before adding his second goal in the 32nd minute to give the Italian side a halftime advantage.
The second half witnessed a complete turnaround as Galatasaray mounted an impressive comeback. Noah Lang restored parity for the Turkish side in the 49th minute after being set up by Barıs Yılmaz, reigniting belief throughout the stadium. Davinson Sanchez then put Galatasaray ahead again in the 60th minute, finishing from Sara's assist.
Osimhen's Decisive Impact in Closing Stages
Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen played a crucial role in sealing the emphatic victory for Galatasaray during the final quarter of the match. In the 75th minute, the Nigerian international provided his first assist of the night, setting up Noah Lang for his second goal. Osimhen then delivered his second assist just eleven minutes later in the 86th minute, creating the opportunity for Sacha Boey to score and complete the comprehensive 5-2 triumph for the Turkish champions.
Del Piero's Assessment of Osimhen's Performance
Alessandro Del Piero, the legendary Juventus forward and three-time UEFA Champions League winner, offered his perspective on Osimhen's performance against his former club. Speaking through Italian media outlet Il Bianconero, Del Piero emphasized how the Nigerian striker's presence created significant problems for Juventus defenders throughout the match.
"Osimhen scares you, his presence scares you, he's ruthless in front of goal, he has quality," Del Piero stated. The Italian legend further explained that beyond individual comparisons with other strikers, what truly matters is the result on the pitch, where Osimhen demonstrated his exceptional capabilities.
Galatasaray Coach Praises Osimhen's World-Class Status
Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has also heaped praise on Victor Osimhen, describing the Nigerian forward as one of the best strikers in world football. The 52-year-old Turkish manager highlighted several qualities that distinguish Osimhen from other attackers and noted that the former Lille striker has fully justified his record-breaking transfer to the club last year.
According to reports from talkSPORT, Buruk emphasized how Osimhen consistently applied pressure on Juventus defenders throughout the entire match, showcasing the attributes that make him a truly elite forward at the highest level of European competition.
Turkish League Context and Super Eagles Connections
In related Turkish football developments, Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu recently found the net for Trabzonspor in their 3-2 defeat to Fenerbahce 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.
Interestingly, Onuachu currently leads the Turkish Super Lig scoring charts, with his compatriot Victor Osimhen trailing by seven goals in the domestic competition. This context adds another layer to Osimhen's impressive Champions League performance against Juventus, demonstrating his ability to excel on multiple fronts.
As Galatasaray prepares for the second leg of their Champions League playoff against Juventus, all eyes will be on Victor Osimhen to see if he can maintain his exceptional form and help secure his team's progression to the next round of Europe's premier club competition.
