Photo Credit: Super Eagles / Punch Newspapers
Osimhen’s Absence Cost Galatasaray in Champions League — Analyst
Turkish football analyst, Sinan Engin, says Galatasaray could have gotten a different result against Sporting CP if Victor Osimhen was available, after the Turkish champions fell 3-1 to the Portuguese side in Lisbon on Wednesday.

Osimhen was ruled out of the Champions League clash after picking up a groin injury in Galatasaray’s 3-2 win over Istanbul Basaksehir, leaving the team without their main attacking threat.

Despite enjoying spells of possession, Galatasaray failed to create a consistent threat in attack, and Engin believes Osimhen’s absence was decisive.

Speaking on the Asist Analiz YouTube channel via Habersarikirmizi, Engin said:
“Galatasaray had possession percentage but no results. Perhaps they are one of the weakest teams they could play against in the Champions League. I don’t accept that Sporting is a flying, amazing team. If Galatasaray had been a little better, and Osimhen had been there, this match would have been very different.”
According to the analyst, the Nigerian’s pace, physical presence and ability to stretch defences was sorely missed, which allowed Sporting to comfortably contain Galatasaray.

The defeat extends Galatasaray’s poor Champions League record without Osimhen. The club has now failed to win its last six UCL matches without the Super Eagles striker — recording four defeats and two draws. The losses came against Sporting, AZ Alkmaar, Eintracht Frankfurt and Union Saint-Gilloise, while they were held by Malmö and Rigas Skola.

Osimhen has become a key figure for Galatasaray since his arrival, making his fitness crucial to their domestic and European ambitions. The 25-year-old will now focus on recovering from his groin injury as Galatasaray look to bounce back in the competition.
Source: Punch Newspapers –