Villarreal manager blasts Osimhen following heated exchange in exhibition match

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Villarreal coach Inigo Perez has accused Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen of coming onto the pitch “to fight” after his confrontation with defender Santiago Mouriño during their 2-1 pre-season win over Galatasaray on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

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The Villarreal coach reacted to an incident in the 37th minute when Mouriño used his body to block Osimhen’s run towards the penalty area as the Nigerian attempted to get on the end of a cross.

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Osimhen reacted angrily, shoving the Uruguay defender to the ground before Galatasaray teammates intervened to prevent the confrontation from escalating. Referee Kadir Sağlam booked both players.

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“There is not much to say about football, because the opposing team didn’t come onto the field to play football, but to fight,” Perez said after the game.

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“Osimhen attacked our player out of nowhere and only got a yellow card.”

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The incident overshadowed an otherwise productive outing for Osimhen, who had earlier scored Galatasaray’s equaliser in the fifth minute after Ayoze Perez had put Villarreal ahead.

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The Nigerian rose highest to head in Eren Elmali’s cross, but Georges Mikautadze restored Villarreal’s lead shortly before half-time.

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Galatasaray were unable to find another equaliser as they suffered their third defeat of pre-season, while Osimhen’s confrontation with Mouriño became the major talking point after the final whistle.

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Meanwhile, the defeat prompted fresh frustration from supporters after the Turkish champions slipped to a third loss in five warm-up matches.

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The Istanbul club finished its preparations with one victory, one draw and three defeats, having beaten Umraniyespor 5-1, lost to Monza and Venezia, drawn 3-3 with Rennes and then fallen to Villarreal.

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Attention quickly shifted to the stands as supporters voiced their dissatisfaction with the club’s transfer activity.

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Galatasaray will begin their Super Lig title defence on Friday when they host Corum.

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