Naija News • 7h ago
Reports: Galatasaray approves bonus for players ahead of Liverpool clash
**Galatasaray Players to Receive Bonuses Ahead of Liverpool Clash**
As the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 approaches, Galatasaray has reportedly approved a bonus payment of €1.5 million for their players ahead of their highly anticipated match against Liverpool. This comes after the Turkish champions secured a crucial 1-0 win over their arch-rivals Besiktas in the Istanbul derby on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Victor Osimhen, a Nigerian striker, scored the only goal of the match in the 39th minute, giving Galatasaray a much-needed boost in morale. Although they played a third of the match with a man down after Leroy Sane's red card, the team held on to the narrow lead.
Galatasaray's President, Dursun Ozbek, welcomed the players to the training facilities after the victory, signaling the team's focus on the upcoming Liverpool match. The Turkish champions will face Liverpool in the first leg at Rams Park in Istanbul on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, and the second leg at Anfield on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
The bonus payment of €1.5 million is expected to be deposited into the players' accounts, a move that aims to motivate the team as they prepare to face one of Europe's top teams. This decision is seen as a strategic move by the club to boost the players' morale and confidence ahead of the high-stakes match.
Galatasaray's win over Besiktas has put them at the top of the table, with a four-point lead over their rivals Fenerbahce. The team's performance in the Champions League will be closely watched, especially with the presence of Nigerian players like Victor Osimhen, who will be looking to make a statement against one of Europe's top teams.