‘We aimed for the top eight and we couldn’t get it, but…’: Osimhen happy with Galatasaray overall performance in Europa League despite loss to Ajax

Victor Osimhen says he is happy with the overall performance of his Turkish Super Lig side, Galatasaray in the Europa League group phase campaign despite suffering their first loss in the competition away at Dutch Eredivise side, Ajax on Thursday night.

The Nigerian scored his fifth goal in six games in the competition but his 84th minute strike was not enough to secure at least a point in the game, and it meant the Yellow and Red dropped into the play-offs.

‘We aimed for the top eight and we couldn’t get it, but in terms of our overall performance in the Europa League, I can say I’m really proud of this team. Today wasn’t really our best night, although we played against a very good team who were very effective.

‘You cannot make mistakes against this type of team – they’re going to punish you,’ Osimhen told UEFA.com after the game.

The Nigerian also spoke about his contest with Ajax defender, Youri Baas.

‘To play against a defender who knows what he’s doing and who is really strong – I think that’s what I love the most, to be able to go into a battle with this type of defender. But I think I’m also a force to be reckoned with, so it was a good battle,’ he said.

Osimhen has now scored in his last four games for Galatasaray across all competitions and will be keen to make it five when his club visit the Gaziantep Stadyumu in Gaziantep to face their host, Gaziantep FK in a Super Lig matchday 21 game.