Victor Osimhen featured briefly for just 16 minutes in Galatasaray‘s narrow 2-1 win over Basaksehir, sparking widespread discussion among fans about his limited time on the pitch.
Despite Galatasaray clinching an important victory to sustain their championship ambitions, numerous supporters voiced their dissatisfaction on social media platforms regarding Osimhen’s restricted role during the encounter. This has reignited debates surrounding coach Okan Buruk and his strategy for deploying the team’s offensive talents.
The Nigerian forward was introduced in the 74th minute, coming on for the in-form Mauro Icardi during a tough away match at Basaksehir on Saturday. This result keeps Galatasaray firmly in the running for the Turkish Super Lig title.
Replacing Icardi, who has netted five goals in seven league outings this season, Osimhen has found the back of the net only twice in the Super Lig so far. This relatively low tally has intensified calls from fans for the Nigerian striker to be given a more regular starting position.
Fans Express Frustration Online
Buruk’s decision to favor Icardi over Osimhen in the starting lineup drew immediate backlash on social media, with many questioning why a player who recently impressed with the Nigerian national team is not seeing more game time.
One supporter remarked, “Unless he’s injured, Osimhen should be starting. Even as a substitute, he changes the flow of the game.”
Another fan questioned bluntly, “Why is Osimhen still warming the bench?” while a third lamented the preference for seasoned players: “It’s no wonder young talents are leaving the league when two veteran defenders dominate the backline and promising forwards remain unused.”
The Striker Dilemma: Icardi or Osimhen?
Coach Buruk appears to be balancing the competition between his top forwards carefully. Osimhen’s explosive pace and physicality offer a distinct advantage, yet his current tally of two goals in six league matches pales in comparison to his remarkable 26-goal haul last season.
Meanwhile, Icardi has maintained steady form, averaging 1.41 goals per 90 minutes this season. The ongoing discussion centers on whether the team’s current momentum-boosted by Leroy Sané’s brace in the latest game-justifies keeping Osimhen on the sidelines despite his evident potential.
Adding to the competitive mix is Paul Onuachu, another Nigerian striker thriving at Trabzonspor, who has already scored seven league goals-five more than Osimhen-highlighting a significant gap in the domestic scoring charts.
Obstacles in the Title Race
Following this narrow victory, Galatasaray remains at the summit of the league table, demonstrating resilience even when key players like Osimhen see limited action. However, Trabzonspor, propelled by Onuachu’s goal-scoring prowess, continues to challenge fiercely for the championship.
Many fans argue that starting Osimhen could enhance the team’s attacking threat or that he needs consistent starts to rediscover his scoring rhythm.
Ultimately, Buruk faces a challenging decision: whether to continue relying on Icardi’s dependable scoring or to fully unleash Osimhen’s talents in pursuit of the league title, all while balancing the rigors of European competition.
What are your thoughts? Should Victor Osimhen be a starter for Galatasaray’s next game, or is the coach’s current strategy justified? We invite you to share your opinions!