Stuttgart defender Maximilian Mittelstädt has made it clear who his side must stop in Istanbul. Ahead of today’s Champions League clash at RAMS Park, the left-back singled out Victor Osimhen as the biggest threat in Galatasaray’s attack. Kick-off is 6:45pm Nigerian time.
Speaking to reporters, Mittelstädt said Stuttgart had prepared specifically for the Turkish champions. He rated their defence highly. However, it was Osimhen who got the strongest warning.
“Osimhen is very dangerous,” he said, adding that the Nigerian has shown over recent years that he belongs among the best strikers around.
Even so, the German did not sound afraid. He said Stuttgart understand what awaits them and believe they are ready. Furthermore, he made a point of saying Stuttgart can hurt Galatasaray. In his view, the team has already shown it can beat top opposition.
His caution makes sense. Osimhen has scored 10 goals in 10 games across all competitions this season. He has also found the net in each of his last three appearances, and one of those goals came against former club Lille in the Champions League.
On top of that, he is closing in on a club record. He has eight Champions League goals for Galatasaray. Two more would put him level with Burak Yılmaz on 10 and move him up the club’s all-time list in the competition.
The standings show how differently the two sides have started. Stuttgart are unbeaten and sit sixth with seven points. They have conceded only twice in the league phase.
Galatasaray, meanwhile, are 23rd with three points. They lost to Sporting and Barcelona before ending a winless run with a 4-2 away win at Lille. As a result, a home win would lift them sharply, and that is why this game matters so much to Okan Buruk’s side.
After this game, Galatasaray host Aston Villa on November 24 and then travel to AEK Athens on December 8. Stuttgart face Inter the day after the Villa game, on November 25. Before those fixtures, though, attention stays on RAMS Park and whether Osimhen proves Mittelstädt right.
