Two respected Turkish football commentators, Tanju Çolak and Reha Kapsal, have insisted that Galatasaray struggle badly without Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, Soccernet.ng reports.
Their comments followed Galatasaray’s surprising 2-0 defeat to Konyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig at the weekend.
Osimhen missed the match because of injury, even though Galatasaray still fielded several big names including Leroy Sané, Mauro Icardi and Mario Lemina. Despite that strong lineup, the defending champions failed to score against a Konyaspor side battling near the relegation places.
Çolak, a former striker who represented Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray and Turkey during his playing career, believes the team’s performance clearly showed how important the Nigerian forward has become.
“With Osimhen absent, Galatasaray’s capabilities and limitations have become clearer,” Çolak said as quoted by Habersarikirmizi.
“Without Osimhen, Galatasaray is an Anatolian team; with Osimhen, Galatasaray is present everywhere.
“They were in worse shape than in the training match at Florya. Galatasaray was so unmotivated, lacking tempo, and concentration.
“It seems that without Osimhen, Galatasaray is nothing. Everyone should accept this fact now; I have. It’s truly a shame for the players.”
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Victor Osimhen described as Galatasaray’s ‘battery'
Former Trabzonspor striker Kapsal shared a similar opinion, arguing that Galatasaray’s attack looked blunt and lacked energy without Osimhen leading the line.
“Galatasaray didn't just lose 3 points, they lost more than 3 points,” the former Manisaspor manager said. “Even if the match had been played for another half hour, Galatasaray still wouldn't have scored.”
Kapsal believes Osimhen’s work rate and leadership are central to the club’s recent success.
“Without Osimhen, there is no Galatasaray. Osimhen is Galatasaray's battery. The team's energy, discipline, concentration on the field… He pushes the team onto the field and creates a very important sense of unity within the team.”
He added that even with several international stars in the squad, none influence matches the way Osimhen does.
“Osimhen, most importantly, takes ownership of the situation. This is rarely seen in star players, but it's very important. Leroy Sane is also a star, but he can't compare to Osimhen in this regard.
“When the team loses, Osimhen goes crazy on the field, pushing everyone around. When Osimhen isn't there, Galatasaray is in trouble.”
Galatasaray will now hope their leading striker regains fitness in time for Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League round-of-16 playoff second leg against Juventus, where his presence could again prove decisive.
The Super Eagles striker provided two assists to power Galatasaray to a 5-2 victory in the first leg in Istanbul.
