Lille defender Alexsandro Ribeiro has welcomed the chance to face Victor Osimhen, calling it a personal battle. Both Lille and Galatasaray are looking for their first points of the Champions League campaign.
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Lille defender Alexsandro Ribeiro has said he is excited to face Victor Osimhen when Lille host Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League. The Brazilian centre back admits it will be a difficult night.
The two sides meet at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Wednesday in a Matchday 3 game, with kickoff at 5:45pm Nigerian time. Both clubs lost their first two league-phase matches and are looking for their first points. Fans following Nigerian players in Europe can read Bet9ja sign-up bonus details.
It is a homecoming for Osimhen, who scored 18 goals in 38 appearances for Lille in 2019/20 before moving to Napoli. It is his first competitive return to the club since leaving six years ago.
Ribeiro said he expects a tough match for his team and described the contest as “a bit of a battle between the two of us.”
The defender also said he is happy to be back on the pitch after an injury hit campaign last year, and that he is showing good progress this season. He credited the club for making a big contribution to his recovery.
Lille lost to Real Betis and Arsenal in their opening games, and have conceded five goals in two matches. Galatasaray, coached by Okan Buruk, lost 3-1 at Sporting CP and 4-1 at home to Barcelona. Anyone new to betting can read Bet9ja promotion code questions answered.
Osimhen is back from injury and played the full 90 minutes against Barcelona. Galatasaray also won 1-0 at Gençlerbirliği on October 17 in the Turkish league.
Galatasaray have lost their last five away games in the Champions League, and Lille have gone 10 Champions League matches without a clean sheet. Something has to give.
Lille are 34th and Galatasaray 35th in the league phase table, with both on zero points. A win would be a big lift for either side.
Super Eagles fans backing Osimhen can claim Bet9ja’s YOHAIG introductory offer before kickoff.
📌 Did You Know?
- Lille are coached by Davide Ancelotti.
- Galatasaray have won fewer than half of their 22 previous meetings with French clubs.
- Lille and Galatasaray have never met in a competitive match before.
- Aleksey Batrakov gave Galatasaray the lead against Barcelona before Barcelona won 4-1.
- Galatasaray have not won in France in six consecutive matches.
- Osimhen left Lille for Napoli for a club-record fee.
