Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini says the Bianconeri have ‘nice respect’ for his or her Champions League play-off opponent Galatasaray, however insists the Serie A giants have been ‘by no means’ near signing Osimhen.
Juventus have been
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It is going to be a reunion between Luciano Spalletti and Osimhen, who gained the Serie A title at Napoli in 2022-23.
“It’s a powerful crew with nice gamers. We’ll play the second leg at residence, so it gained’t finish in Istanbul, however we’ll must be good at going to that stadium to play our recreation and exploit their weaknesses and restrict the massive potential and particular person gamers, not simply in assault,” Chiellini instructed from Nyon after the draw.
LEWISBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – JUNE 14: Former Juventus and Italian nationwide crew defender Giorgio Chiellini arrives on the airport previous to the official FIFA Membership World Cup 2025 on June 14, 2025 in Lewisburg, West Virginia. (Picture by Michael Owens/Getty Pictures)
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“Everyone knows Osimhen, however they’re sturdy in different departments too.”
Juventus have but to signal a brand new participant within the January window, and Chiellini stated that there aren’t any developments for now: “There is no such thing as a information for now; three days are lacking, and also you’ll have updates within the coming days.”
Again in 2013, Chiellini was on the pitch and Antonio Conte on the bench when Juventus misplaced a bunch stage recreation towards Galatasaray, going through elimination from the Champions League group part.
It had been postponed by someday on account of heavy snow in Istanbul, however when it was performed, the pitch’s situation was removed from ultimate
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“We misplaced it on the pitch, and I even made the decisive mistake, whatever the snow and the pitch,” Chiellini stated.
“Now we’re two completely different groups. We should respect their high quality, as a result of they’ve high quality gamers in all departments, however we should additionally concentrate on our abilities and put in an vital efficiency. It can go all the way down to particulars, like each knockout recreation, we’ll must be mature to play in Istanbul and make sure it the next week.”
A reporter requested Chiellini if he would have favored to play up towards Osimhen on the sector.
“Proper now, I couldn’t cope,” he replied, smiling.
Chiellini: ‘I’d love’ to play towards Osimhen
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 21: Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray seems to be on through the Turkish Tremendous large match between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray at Ulker Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Picture by Ahmad Mora/Getty Pictures)
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“However I might like to mark him for 45 minutes. I used to be unfortunate to face him as soon as late in my profession when my bodily qualities have been restricted, and I needed to rely extra on the psychological facet. He’s a powerful participant, he assaults the house and has pure starvation inside that you simply don’t see in lots of gamers.
“Galatasaray have many vital gamers, a few of whom have performed in Serie A too. Turkish groups are making investments, and there’s nice respect for a storied membership like Galatasaray. It’s an enchanting problem, it is going to be a troublesome recreation, but in addition an vital check for us. We nonetheless have all to play for in Serie A, Champions League and Coppa Italia. We now have some attention-grabbing weeks forward.”
Have Juventus ever been near signing Osimhen earlier than he moved to Galatasaray from Napoli?
“Should you imply {that a} membership likes Osimhen, I believe it’s true for all of the groups, particularly in Italy,” Chiellini concluded.
“However realistically, there’s by no means been something greater than this.”