Buruk reveals Osimhen secret as Galatasaray star starts season with 5 goals

Victor Osimhen produced another decisive performance as Galatasaray beat Göztepe 3-2 at RAMS Park on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.

Interestingly, the Super Eagles striker's latest display also revealed why he could be heading towards another prolific season in the Trendyol Süper Lig.

Osimhen scored one goal and supplied one assist as Galatasaray recovered from an early setback to secure three points in Istanbul. His performance included eight shots, five of them on target, four chances created and 40 touches.

The result continued Osimhen's fast start to the new league campaign. He has five goals and three assists in his first three appearances, giving Galatasaray an early attacking threat that could put pressure on the other leading strikers in Turkey.

Osimhen won the Süper Lig Golden Boot in his first season at Galatasaray. He was beaten to the award last season when Paul Onuachu and Eldor Shomurodov finished as joint top scorers. The early numbers suggest Osimhen is determined to take the prize back.

Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk believes there is a clear reason behind the striker's improved output. The team is creating more chances and getting the ball to Osimhen in better positions than it did last season.

“But the best part of our game was actually from the 45th minute until we made it 3-2. I think we played that period very well,” Buruk told Galatasaray.org.

“We had more possession, played forward passes and moved the ball well. I think we solved our opponent very clearly during that period. We created many chances.

“Compared with last season, I agree with what you said. Our number of shots had never been this high. Osimhen is receiving more balls this time, getting into more positions inside the penalty area, and we have a Galatasaray team that is creating more chances.

“We have scored nine goals in three games. That is an average of three goals per game. In addition, in the first and third matches, we got the ball into the opposition penalty area many times, created many chances and took many shots. Our expected goals numbers were very high. That is the positive side.”

That tactical change could have major consequences in the race for the Süper Lig scoring title. Osimhen is already competing in a league that includes high-profile forwards such as Mohamed Salah, Dušan Vlahović, Romelu Lukaku and Mason Greenwood.

Osimhen turns Göztepe game into another statement

Göztepe made the better start at RAMS Park when Novatus Miroshi gave the visitors a 16th-minute lead. Galatasaray responded through Davinson Sánchez, who levelled the game in the 33rd minute.

Osimhen then became the key figure in the second half. In the 55th minute, he moved into a dangerous position and produced the final pass for Gabriel Sara, who completed Galatasaray's comeback and made it 2-1.

Eight minutes later, Osimhen had the chance to score himself. He went down inside the penalty area following a challenge from Richard Akonnor. VAR checked the incident and confirmed the penalty. Osimhen took responsibility and sent the spot-kick into the net to put Galatasaray 3-1 ahead.

Göztepe responded almost immediately. Juan Santos scored in the 65th minute to reduce the deficit to 3-2 and set up a tense finish. Osimhen appeared to have added another goal two minutes later when he headed in from Roland Sallai's cross. However, VAR ruled the goal out for a marginal offside.

His second goal also escaped him late in the game. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Osimhen found space inside the box but Göztepe goalkeeper Luka Gugeshashvili produced another important save. Gugeshashvili had also denied Osimhen shortly before half-time after the striker ran through on a pass from Sallai.

Despite those missed chances, Osimhen finished with an 8.8 FotMob rating and was named Man of the Match. He won 80% of his aerial duels, completed his only attempted dribble and passed accurately on 21 of 25 attempts.

Buruk also accepted that Galatasaray could have scored more.

“We were still able to make transitions and created many chances. We also had a goal ruled out. We created more chances and could have scored again if we had made better final passes. But, at the same time, you have an opponent who can threaten you. So you have to take defensive measures because you also want to protect the three points.”

Galatasaray have now scored nine goals in three league games, an average of three per match. With Osimhen receiving more service and finding more positions inside the box, Buruk's comments point to a simple plan to give the Nigerian more chances and his goal numbers could rise sharply.

That makes Osimhen an early contender to reclaim the Süper Lig scoring crown, while Galatasaray's stronger attacking start could make the title race even more difficult for Onuachu, Shomurodov, Salah, Vlahović, Lukaku and Greenwood.