Galatasaray's Spanish assistant coach, Ismael Gomez, confirmed in an interview that Osimhen is available for their midweek Champions League match at home against Barcelona.

Q: Are you looking forward to this match?

A: Of course. Playing against Barcelona is like going to the dentist: you know it's going to hurt, but you still have to go, and you have to try to get through it. Hopefully, everything goes well. We know they are probably the best team in Europe right now, but we are confident we can cause them problems.

Q: Before your recent win against Kasimpasa, you had a draw and a tough loss against Trabzonspor. How did you feel after that match?

A: This victory was one of those games our coach always says is worth more than three points, because we came back to win with a man down. Also, some previously injured players returned and made significant contributions. Everyone is coming back, which gives us a very good feeling, even if many expected us to get three points against Kasimpasa.

Q: Everyone knows this will likely be one of the most competitive Süper Lig seasons in recent years. Now we see you leading, and the seventh-placed team is only 4 points behind you. Have you felt the league's level improve? Are the teams closer?

A: Indeed, as with any league, there are always some teams above others. But my feeling is that the growth of the Süper Lig is not just due to the major signings of Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Besiktas. I genuinely believe the league's improvement is evident because teams have more room for signings. Some lesser-known teams in other European countries are also capable of attracting good players in Turkey. This has raised the league's level. I'm not just talking about the three teams, because a promoted team even led the league with us for a while. This shows the overall closeness of the league.

Q: Among your returning players, there's Osimhen, and I imagine he's very important to you. Can he start?

A: Yes, yes. I won't give you clichés or lies: he is ready to play, and for us, he is a player on a completely different level. Obviously, he can play. To be more direct: top players can perform well in every game, but perhaps because Barcelona's defensive style is very aggressive, with their defensive line pressing high up to midfield, a striker like Osimhen, with his characteristics, is perfectly suited to counter this type of defense. Besides being an incredibly good striker himself, we also hope he can cause Barcelona a lot of trouble with his playing style.

Q: I understand that players like Osimhen or Leao, who attack the space behind Barcelona's defense, might be one of your keys.

A: Yes, of course. We've seen over the years that Barcelona has a very distinct playing style, which has indeed brought them many positive results overall and has allowed players to develop in an amazing way. But as the football saying goes, the blanket doesn't cover all places. Their style leaves space behind. I remember their knockout tie against Inter Milan, and against Atlético Madrid, and last year when Xavi Alonso coached and Real Madrid won. Utilizing these spaces, maintaining high intensity and vertical play in these situations, is undoubtedly one of the key points to troubling this Barcelona team.

Q: If someone hasn't seen Galatasaray this season, what kind of team will Barcelona encounter?

A: We have always tried to combine control of the game, but with a more vertical approach in European competitions than in Turkey. The reason is that in Turkey, we encounter many opponents who defend deep, while in Europe, almost all opponents will confront us directly. Based on the players' characteristics, we will try more variations because we have that ability. I think we are a team that is quite brave in high pressing and winning back possession in the opponent's half. This has been one of Galatasaray's hallmarks under Okan Buruk's coaching in recent years. In terms of this pressing style, we can indeed say we are trying to get closer to Barcelona; I think we are a bit similar.

Q: I imagine the fans and the famous "Turkish Hell" will also help you press in the opponent's half.

A: Without a doubt. Now that I've been here for several years, I feel that for any team, playing at home is a bonus, but I feel for us, it's more than just a bonus. The atmosphere created in the stadium and our fans make the players perform far beyond 100%. Moreover, I feel that from a European perspective, this is also the most anticipated match for the club, the city, and the fans.

Q: Have you been looking forward to this match for a long time?

A: The match against Barcelona comes after the one we played last Friday. We have strong ambitions in Europe, but in Turkey, my feeling has always been that the league comes first. Also, we just lost 0-4 to Trabzonspor, so we can't afford to be distracted for even half a second, or it will be very dangerous.

Q: According to you, do you approach matches against Barcelona, Trabzonspor, Liverpool, or Sporting in a similar way?

A: We will strive for victory, first considering the characteristics of our players, team characteristics, and our style. This should always be prioritized, while also evaluating the opponent's strengths and areas we can exploit. For this match, in my opinion, Barcelona is the top favorite to win the Champions League. However, like all teams, they also have some areas where we believe we can pose a threat. I hope that is indeed the case.

Q: Especially behind the defensive line, right?

A: Yes, exactly there. There are other areas too where we feel we can threaten them, for example, by exploiting certain players who sometimes track back a bit slowly.

Q: How is Leao adapting?

A: When talking about players of this caliber, there's actually very little that can surprise you, because they have already proven so much, and you know them very well. As I said, I was fortunate to face him in the same competition. In fact, he even scored against me. Now, seeing him up close in daily training and life, I am surprised by how kind and friendly he is, and how well he has adapted to everyone: the coaching staff, his teammates, and everyone around him.

Q: I understand he has already started to become very important to you.

A: Yes, of course. We hope the match against Barcelona will be his first standout performance. He has already had very good performances, but we hope that will be his first standout performance.

Q: Sevilla coach Luis Garcia said this Barcelona team is terrifying. Do you feel the same way?

A: To be honest, no, after all, we are talking about a single match. It's not about fear. But I still have to say: in my opinion, humbly speaking, they are currently the top favorites for the Champions League. So, they certainly deserve respect, but not to the point of fear. Besides, Galatasaray also has many excellent players. I prefer to focus on our own strengths rather than dwelling on others. Of course, we must also study the opponent, but it's not fear; I would say it's the highest degree of respect.

Q: Barcelona will be without Raphinha in Istanbul, which I imagine is a good thing for you.

A: Yes, of course.

Q: No doubt about that?

A: No, none at all. I prefer all good players to play. For players like Raphinha, and many other top players, I would certainly love to see them not play against us, but I hope they play very well for the rest of the season. Just not when playing us.

Q: What do you think of him?

A: I think there have already been some comments about him, and I completely agree. As of now, in my eyes, he is one of the highest-level yet most underrated players. For me, he is absolutely top of the top, and I don't understand why he doesn't get that recognition. I don't think he should even be on lists of the top ten attacking players in the world. As for the Ballon d'Or rankings, I don't believe in them anymore, less and less every year. Even among colleagues, I don't think people truly acknowledge his level. Raphinha is good at everything. Although I've never had the good fortune to work with him, I've been told he's also a leader. Frankly, I'm a little glad he won't be coming.

Q: Yamal will also be playing. What do you think of him?

A: I think sometimes, instead of just defensively marking such players, it's better to actively press them. Yamal, in my opinion, is one of the most talented players in the world today, but he can sometimes be a bit distracted defensively. Perhaps we can exploit that.

Q: Another name before the match is Gundogan, because he is also a former Barcelona player. Someone asked him a few days ago if he was ready for this showdown, and he said what's the point of being ready if he doesn't play.

A: All I can say is that it's a real pleasure for Galatasaray, and even for me personally, to have a player like him. We are talking about one of the best midfielders of the last decade. He played very well at Barcelona because he had the ability to establish himself there. For us, no matter how much he plays in certain games, I firmly believe all players want to play more minutes. As for Gundogan, whether in training or when he plays, we can only speak positively.

Q: One last question, about this match. In what kind of situation do you hope to play?

A: We hope that in those moments where we can accurately assess how to hurt Barcelona, we don't hesitate. My only request to the players on Tuesday is: when there's a real opportunity to play vertically and be more aggressive in attack, don't always think about how strong Barcelona is, but think about how strong Galatasaray is. I firmly believe we will confront them head-on.

Q: Let me ask you about a player who was linked with Barcelona a few months ago: Aleksey Batrakov. What do you think of him?

A: He is a very talented player. If someone told me his surname was Rodriguez and he was Spanish, I would believe it. I'm not surprised at all that he's on the lists of Barcelona and other big clubs. In terms of his characteristics, I don't want to make comparisons right now, but honestly, he reminds me a lot of Pedri. I think he's an attacking midfielder who can read the game, with excellent technical ability, good decision-making, and a strong work ethic. I think Galatasaray's signing of him is very successful, and this player will generate a lot of discussion in Europe.

Q: I also wanted to ask you about Deportivo La Coruña. Their return to LaLiga is going well, right?

A: Deportivo La Coruña is a club I have a great affection for because I worked there and lived there for many years. I think, generally, the first season for a promoted team is very difficult, at least from my perspective. Being promoted itself means you start at a slight disadvantage. However, I think Deportivo La Coruña has built a team through financial investment and organizational development that is a cut above the average promoted team. They have assembled a very good squad with many promising players. I like that: not just signing typical veterans, although veterans are also needed. Players like Aubameyang initially helped them a lot; it's a shame he got injured because he looked like a younger version of Aubameyang at the time.

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