Victor Osimhen is bracing for chaos in Monday's Istanbul derby against Fenerbahce, with the Nigeria striker hoping for a victory that would move Galatasaray six points clear of their rivals in the Turkish Super Lig title race.
Galatasaray enter the game at RAMS Park with 19 points from eight matches, three ahead of Fenerbahce. Victory would also take them above leaders Amedspor, who have 20 points after playing a game more.
But for Nigeria striker Osimhen, the task of beating their city rivals extends beyond the immediate points, and more into the fiery rivalry that defines each encounter. "When you talk about the derby game, you talk about a very intense one and full of emotions and chaos," he told pre-match media.
"But we're looking forward to it. These are the kind of games you win and you can say you're halfway through the championship."
In a derby game where form counts for little, Osimhen acknowledged the challenge, while pointing to the venue as a factor that might help tip the scales in Galatasaray's favour.
"It's not going to be easy, definitely. They are also a good side," he said. "But they're coming to RAMS Park, and this is a big advantage for us."
The striker's expectation of an emotionally charged contest is not without precedent. A recent example came in April last year when Osimhen scored both goals as Galatasaray won 2-1 at Fenerbahce in the Turkish Cup quarterfinals.
That game ended with police entering the field to restore order, while then-Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho grabbed Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk's nose after the final whistle.
This time, both teams come into the derby after consecutive league wins. Galatasaray beat Kasimpasa 3-1 and Genclerbirligi 1-0, while Fenerbahce recorded successive 3-0 victories over Rizespor and Alanyaspor.
Galatasaray also won 4-2 at Lille in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, with Osimhen scoring their fourth goal as the Turkish side recovered from going 2-1 down to claim their first victory of the competition.
Osimhen, who has been a regular scorer for Galatasaray, has also had to contend with suggestions that criticism over matches in which he does not score affects his confidence.
But the Nigerian waved off those suggestions, as he pointed to his tough background where he dealt with challenges regularly: "I just try to do my best. Most of the time, the game don't go how I want, not just for me, but for the team.
"But this doesn't mean I'm nervous. I came from a place where I am not scared of challenges."
Osimhen has six league goals this season, having established himself at Galatasaray with 37 goals in 41 appearances during his initial loan campaign in 2024-25.
His 26 league goals that season earned him the scoring title as the club won the league and Turkish Cup double and he insists that his belief in his ability remains intact regardless of the reaction to individual performances.
"Nobody can tell me how to make these runs, how to play my ball, how to score my goals," he said. "This is the kind of thing that I do. It is the reason why I'm here, it's the reason why I'm one of the very best strikers in the world."
That confidence, he added, operates within a responsibility to the team so that when results or performances fall short, his response is to continue working: "The club is bigger than any player.
"This is about the team, the collective effort of the team."
Watch the Istanbul derby, and the Turkish Super Lig, on ESPN's channels in Africa, and on Disney+ in South Africa.