Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has decided that star striker Victor Osimhen will no longer be benched unless a serious injury completely rules him out of action, Soccernet.ng reports.
The decision follows heavy backlash from supporters after a shock 2-0 defeat to Konyaspor in the Turkish Super League on Saturday.
Osimhen missed training sessions last Thursday and Friday after experiencing knee discomfort and was left out of the clash as a precautionary measure.
Unfortunately for them, his absence was glaring. Despite fielding several high-profile stars, yhe reigning Turkish kings struggled without their talisman as they wobbled and fumbled to their second league defeat of the season.
Fans were quick to criticize Buruk and the Galatasaray management, as the loss cost the team a golden opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table.
With Fenerbahce securing a 1-1 draw against Kasimpasa on Monday, Galatasaray’s lead at the summit was reduced to just two points. And with only 11 games remaining, the title race in the Super Lig has hit a boiling point.
Due to the current points difference between the two sides, Galatasaray can no longer afford any slip-ups, as Fenerbahce will be happy to pounce. As such, Osimhen will keep playing unless he has a serious injury.
Losing the Super Lig would be a major blow to the club and the fans, considering the massive investments the board has put into the club in the last two years, getting the likes of Osimhen, Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan, Wilfred Singo, and others.
Victor Osimhen’s Growing Legacy at Galatasaray
Since joining on an initial loan deal in the summer of 2024, no player in Turkish football has been more prolific than Osimhen. The Nigerian international has already racked up goals across all competitions in less than two full seasons.
The statistics show his importance to the club. Four of Galatasaray's defeats this season occurred when the Super Eagles striker was unavailable, either due to injury or while representing Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Meanwhile, the 27-year-old returned to training on Monday, and Galatasaray fans will be hoping he is fit enough to start Wednesday's crucial UEFA Champions League playoff second leg against Juventus.
The Turkish champions hold a commanding three-goal lead from the first leg and, barring a major collapse, are expected to progress to the Round of 16, where they could face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.
