‘We need our fans’ — Man City’s Guardiola calls on supporters to save Cityzens from Osimhen

Pep Guardiola has made a passionate appeal to Manchester City supporters ahead of a decisive UEFA Champions League clash against Galatasaray at the Etihad Stadium. 

With City battling to secure a top-eight finish and avoid the play-offs, the City boss stressed that the backing from the stands could be just as important as what happens on the pitch.

Speaking before the game, Guardiola laid bare the scale of City’s problems, revealing a long list of absentees that has left his squad stretched at a critical point in the campaign.

“We need our fans. Marc cannot play, Antoine cannot play, Rodri cannot play, apart from all the players on the sidelines. Nico will not be ready. Savinho will not be ready, Stones will not be ready. A long list, but hopefully our stands can encourage us to try it,” Guardiola said.

New signings Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo will both miss the encounter, while Rodri is suspended after his red card against Bodo/Glimt. City are also without Nico, Savinho, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Oscar Bobb and Mateo Kovacic due to injury, with several not expected back until February.

Manchester City currently sit 11th in the 36-team league phase with 13 points from seven matches, while Galatasaray are 17th on 10 points. With only the top eight qualifying automatically for the Round of 16, Guardiola knows there is little margin for error.

While City grapple with injuries, Galatasaray arrive in Manchester with confidence and a near full-strength squad. Wilfried Singo is back after a two-month layoff, and Arda Unyay is expected to be available, giving the Turkish giants a boost ahead of one of their biggest European nights in recent years.

All eyes, however, will be on Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian striker has been the driving force behind Galatasaray’s Champions League campaign, scoring six goals in five appearances, including a hat-trick against Ajax and key strikes versus Liverpool and Bodo/Glimt.

A goal at the Etihad would also see Osimhen become Galatasaray’s top foreign scorer in European competition, moving him ahead of club legends such as Mario Jardel and Gheorghe Hagi. 

With City missing key defenders like Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, the stage appears set for Nigeria’s number nine to once again shine on the biggest stage.

With both clubs fighting for direct qualification and former City stars Ilkay Gündogan and Leroy Sané set to face their old side, Guardiola’s call to the fans underlines just how high the stakes are, and just how dangerous Osimhen could be to City’s Champions League hopes.