Eintracht Frankfurt manager, Dino Toppmoller, has played down the absence of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, saying his non-availability will not affect the outcome of their UEFA Champions League match against Galatasaray.
Frankfurt will host the Turkish champions, Galatasaray, at the Deutsche Bank Park on Thursday evening in what is expected to be a high-stakes group stage encounter.
Osimhen, who recently joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli, will miss the match after suffering an ankle injury while on international duty for Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier against Rwanda earlier this month.
The injury ruled him out of action for several weeks, and Galatasaray will now have to face Frankfurt without one of their star forwards.
However, speaking during his pre-match press conference, Frankfurt boss Dino Toppmoller said his team is not concerned about Osimhen’s absence.
“Whether he plays or not is irrelevant to us,” Toppmoller told reporters. “Both teams will have eleven top players on the pitch tomorrow, and our focus is on our performance, not the opponent’s lineup.”
Toppmoller’s comment comes as a surprise to many, considering Osimhen’s reputation as one of Africa’s most lethal strikers. The Super Eagles forward was the top scorer in the Italian Serie A last season and helped Napoli win their first league title in over three decades.
His move to Galatasaray was seen as a major boost for the Turkish side’s Champions League campaign. However, his injury setback means Galatasaray will have to depend on other forwards for the crucial away fixture.
Eintracht Frankfurt, on the other hand, are looking to make a strong statement in the group stage, and Toppmoller believes his team is fully prepared.
“We respect every opponent, but we are not focusing on individual players. It’s about how we play together as a team,” he added.
While fans may be disappointed not to see Osimhen in action, Thursday’s clash still promises plenty of excitement as both clubs battle for early control in the group.
