Sporting CP goalkeeper Rui Silva has warned his teammates not to underestimate Galatasaray despite the absence of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen in their Champions League encounter.
Galatasaray travelled to Lisbon for Wednesday’s Champions League fixture against Sporting CP without Osimhen, who was unavailable for the opening European game. The Nigerian forward’s absence was expected to weaken the Turkish champions’ attacking threat, but Silva believes the visitors still possess enough quality to cause problems.
Silva acknowledged Osimhen’s importance to Galatasaray but stressed that Sporting cannot focus solely on the former Napoli striker.
“He’s a goalscorer, but Galatasaray have other players who can make a difference,” Silva said, according to reports.
The Portuguese goalkeeper’s warning highlights the challenge facing Sporting as they begin their Champions League campaign. Galatasaray are experienced in European competition and have several attacking options capable of exploiting defensive mistakes.
The absence of Osimhen is nevertheless significant. The Nigeria international has established himself as one of Galatasaray’s leading attacking players since joining the club permanently from Napoli. He helped the Turkish side win the 2025/26 Süper Lig title and has become a key figure in their European ambitions.
For Sporting, the match represents an opportunity to make a positive start to the Champions League campaign, particularly with home advantage at José Alvalade. However, Silva’s comments suggest the Portuguese side expects a competitive contest despite Galatasaray missing one of their biggest stars.
The fixture is also relevant to Nigerian football fans because of Osimhen’s growing influence in European club football. His absence gives other Galatasaray attackers an opportunity to demonstrate that the team can remain competitive without its prolific Nigerian forward.
Galatasaray have enjoyed sustained domestic success, winning consecutive Turkish league titles in 2025 and 2026. Their continued presence in the Champions League reflects the club’s ambition to compete against Europe’s leading teams.
