Lille head coach Davide Ancelotti has warned his players that containing Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will require a collective defensive effort when they face Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League.
Ancelotti acknowledged the Nigerian forward’s ability to change games, recalling his influential performances at Napoli, where he helped the Italian club secure the Serie A title in the 2022/23 season.
“We stop him as a team. It doesn’t depend on one player; it always depends on the team,” Ancelotti was quoted as saying by French outlet Le Petit Lillois.
“He’s a player who, in Naples, almost single-handedly won the Scudetto,” he added.
The Lille coach also cautioned his players against underestimating Galatasaray’s overall quality, highlighting the Turkish champions’ experienced squad and familiarity with European competition.
Ancelotti insisted that his team must remain disciplined in both attack and defence to limit the visitors’ threats.
Osimhen will return to familiar surroundings for Wednesday’s encounter, having represented Lille during the 2019/20 season before moving to Napoli in 2020. He scored 18 goals in 38 appearances for the French club.
The Nigerian striker has reportedly recorded six goals and three assists in seven appearances across all competitions for Galatasaray this season. However, he will be eager to rediscover his scoring form after going without a goal or assist in his previous two outings against Barcelona and Gençlerbirliği.
The Champions League fixture has also attracted attention over security concerns following reported unrest in Lille. French newspaper Le Parisien reported that Galatasaray sought assurances from UEFA regarding the safety of its delegation.
The match is scheduled to take place at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy, with Osimhen expected to be a major focus as both sides pursue a positive result.
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