Former Fenerbahce defender Ilker Yagcioglu has voiced his opinion that Galatasaray relies heavily on the influence of Victor Osimhen during matches.
After recently returning from duty with Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Osimhen was rested by Galatasaray’s head coach Okan Buruk ahead of a crucial fixture.
This decision was made to conserve the striker’s stamina for the upcoming UEFA Champions League encounter against Bodo/Glimt.
Although Osimhen did not start, Galatasaray secured a narrow 2-1 victory in the derby; nonetheless, the team’s attacking efforts seemed less vibrant in his absence.
Basaksehir
Yagcioglu Reflects on Osimhen’s Influence
Speaking on TRT Spor, Yagcioglu highlighted that Galatasaray would have enjoyed a significant edge if their record-breaking signing had been in the starting lineup.
“The squad noticeably lacks Osimhen’s impact when he’s off the field. His involvement alters the game’s flow considerably,” Yagcioglu stated.
He further noted, “If Osimhen had been introduced earlier, especially during moments when Basaksehir dominated possession, the match’s momentum could have swung in Galatasaray’s favor.”
In the second half, Buruk introduced Osimhen as part of a four-player substitution, with the Nigerian forward replacing Mauro Icardi.
With just seven minutes remaining, Osimhen came close to altering the result when his powerful shot struck the post.
Up to this point in the season, Osimhen has scored three goals in seven appearances across all competitions for Galatasaray.