Osimhen is better than Ekitiké but Galatasaray will lose to Liverpool

Turkish football analyst Emre Bol has given his verdict on the upcoming UEFA Champions League round-of-16 tie between Galatasaray and Liverpool, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Turkish champions will face the English side over two legs as they aim to reach the quarter-finals of Europe’s top club competition. Liverpool, three-time winners of the tournament, are widely seen as favourites against a Galatasaray team playing at this stage of the competition for the first time in 12 years.

The Champions League tie comes during a very demanding run of matches for Galatasaray. Before meeting Liverpool, they must take on fierce city rivals Beşiktaş, while another derby against İstanbul Başakşehir will be played between the two European fixtures.

Bol believes it could be a difficult spell for coach Okan Buruk and his players, predicting they may struggle to win any of the four matches.

“I don’t think Beşiktaş will lose (to Galatasaray),” Bol predicted as per Habersarikirmizi.

“They (Galatasaray) will lose both of their matches against Liverpool. The Başakşehir match will also end in a draw.”

Osimhen factor gives Galatasaray hope

Despite his gloomy prediction, Bol admits that Galatasaray could still have a chance if their star striker Victor Osimhen produces another big performance.

The Nigerian forward has been one of the standout players in the Champions League this season. Osimhen has scored seven goals in the competition so far, comfortably ahead of Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitiké, who has managed only two.

Bol believes Galatasaray’s key players, including Osimhen, could make the contest more competitive than many expect.

“Of course I would like them to continue in the Champions League, but it’s difficult,” Bol added. “I think Galatasaray’s striker and goalkeeper are better than Liverpool’s. I wouldn’t be surprised if Galatasaray pulled off a surprise, and I hope they do.”

Galatasaray have already produced several eye-catching results in Europe this season. The Turkish side have beaten former continental champions Ajax, Liverpool, and Juventus during their impressive campaign.

Osimhen scored in each of those victories, including a memorable hat-trick against Ajax, underlining why he could again be central to any hopes of a major upset.