Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was involved as Galatasaray secured a 2-0 victory over German side VfB Stuttgart in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League encounter at Rams Park, Istanbul.

Although the Nigerian forward did not get on the scoresheet, he remained a threat to the Stuttgart defence, creating problems with his movement and attacking runs as the Turkish champions claimed their second consecutive victory in the competition, blueprint reports.

Russian forward Aleksey Batrakov was the match-winner, scoring twice in the opening 15 minutes to give Galatasaray a commanding advantage.

Batrakov opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a right-footed effort after Mario Lemina’s pass eventually found Roland Sallai on the right. Sallai’s delivery took a deflection before falling to the Russian, who finished emphatically.

Three minutes later, he doubled the advantage after connecting with a through ball from Davinson Sanchez, breaking behind the Stuttgart defence before slotting past goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow.

The quick-fire double made Batrakov the first Galatasaray player to score twice within the opening 15 minutes of a Champions League match.

Osimhen threatens Stuttgart defence

Osimhen, who started the encounter, came close to extending Galatasaray’s advantage on several occasions.

In the 24th minute, he attempted a long-range effort after receiving a pass from Yunus Akgün, but his shot went over the bar.

The Nigerian also had a header from a corner in the 33rd minute, but it went wide, while another effort in the 44th minute was blocked by the Stuttgart defence.

He continued to trouble the visitors after the interval, forcing Bredlow into a save in the 56th minute with a close-range effort.

A minute later, he had another opportunity from a difficult angle, but his shot went narrowly wide.

Osimhen also contributed to Galatasaray’s attacking transitions, setting up Rafael Leão for an opportunity in the 71st minute, although the Portuguese forward failed to convert.

The Super Eagles striker remained on the pitch until the final whistle as Galatasaray protected their two-goal advantage.

Stuttgart fight back but Galatasaray hold firm

Stuttgart, who arrived in Istanbul unbeaten in their opening three Champions League matches, attempted to recover from the early setback but struggled to break down Galatasaray’s defence.

The visitors created opportunities through Chris Führich, Deniz Undav and other attacking players, but goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır produced important saves to keep them at bay.

Stuttgart thought they had reduced the deficit in the 75th minute when Führich found the net following a rebound, but the effort was ruled out for offside against Undav in the build-up.

The German side continued searching for a goal, but Galatasaray remained organised defensively.

Çakır made another important intervention in the 86th minute, denying substitute Dženan Pejčinović in a one-on-one situation.

Osimhen also had a late attempt in stoppage time, but his effort from a difficult angle went wide as the hosts completed the victory.

Galatasaray strengthen Champions League position

The victory takes Galatasaray to six points in the Champions League league phase after four matchdays, following their earlier results in the competition.

For Stuttgart, the defeat represents their first loss in this season’s Champions League campaign after collecting seven points from their opening three matches.

Galatasaray will now turn their attention to their domestic commitments as they seek to maintain their momentum in both competitions.

Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool headline Wednesday’s fixtures

Attention now shifts to Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League fixtures, with several European heavyweights returning to action as the league phase continues.

Premier League champions Manchester City travel to Germany to face RB Leipzig, while Arsenal visit Czech Republic side Slavia Prague in their respective Matchday Four encounters.

Liverpool also face a difficult away test against Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, while Real Madrid travel to Greece to take on AEK Athens.

Other fixtures will see Borussia Dortmund host Real Betis, Porto welcome Napoli, PSV Eindhoven face Club Brugge, Lens take on Como and Viking meet Sabah.

Wednesday’s full UEFA Champions League fixtures (Nigerian time)

6:45pm: AEK Athens vs Real Madrid

6:45pm: Fenerbahçe vs Liverpool

9:00pm: Borussia Dortmund vs Real Betis

9:00pm: Porto vs Napoli

9:00pm: PSV Eindhoven vs Club Brugge

9:00pm: RB Leipzig vs Manchester City

9:00pm: Lens vs Como

9:00pm: Slavia Prague vs Arsenal

9:00pm: Viking vs Sabah

The Wednesday encounters will complete Matchday Four of the Champions League league phase, with clubs seeking crucial points to improve their positions in the competition’s 36-team standings.

For Osimhen, Tuesday’s performance provided another opportunity to contribute to Galatasaray’s European campaign, even though he was unable to add to his goal tally.

The Nigerian remains an important attacking figure for the Turkish side as they pursue progress in Europe’s premier club competition.