No Osimhen, no Galatasaray? Ex-Real Madrid star predicts UCL opener against Sporting CP

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is currently suffering a serious groin injury and will not play a part in Galatasaray's UEFA Champions League opener against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, Soccernet.ng reports.

However, former Real Madrid and Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju believes Galatasaray can overcome the absence of Victor Osimhen and secure a positive result against the Portuguese side.

The 27-year-old opened the scoring in the 16th minute of Friday’s 3-2 victory over Istanbul Başakşehir before being forced off in the 33rd minute after suffering a muscle problem.

Galatasaray later confirmed that Osimhen had sustained a moderate-to-advanced strain with bleeding in the right groin area.

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The injury comes at a particularly difficult time for the Turkish champions, with Osimhen enjoying an outstanding start to the campaign.

The Super Eagles striker has scored six goals and provided two assists in four league appearances for Galatasaray, finding the net in every league match he has played this season.

📸 Sporting CP maçı hazırlıklarımız devam ediyor. 💪#SCPvGS #UCL pic.twitter.com/KnEXKkZ7T5

— Galatasaray SK (@GalatasaraySK) September 6, 2026

Adepoju predicts Galatasaray can cope without Osimhen

Adepoju acknowledged the importance of Osimhen to both Galatasaray and Nigeria but believes his absence does not necessarily mean the Turkish champions will struggle to get the result they want in Portugal.

“Without any doubt, Victor Osimhen is a very important player for Galatasaray and the Super Eagles, and it's just unfortunate that he's injured at the moment,” the 55-year-old told Soccernet.ng.

“His absence from their Champions League opener is going to be felt in that game, and while Galatasaray are a big team, they would've preferred if he was available.”

The former Real Madrid B midfielder also suggested that Galatasaray could have done more during the transfer window to prepare for a situation like this, particularly given Osimhen’s importance to their attack.

“They should have gotten another option in the transfer window, but I think they should be able to win,” the ex-Racing Santander man added.

That belief will offer some encouragement to Galatasaray, who will have to find a way to replace a striker responsible for a large share of their attacking output.

Since joining Okan Buruk's side, Victor Osimhen has scored 64 goals and provided 13 assists in 78 games across all competitions.

Galatasaray must find a solution without Victor Osimhen

Galatasaray have other attacking options available, with new signing Rafael Leão capable of playing through the middle as well as from either flank, while Deniz Gül provides another central option. The club also has younger alternatives like Ada Yüzgec within the squad.

However, replacing Osimhen's overall contribution will be more complicated than simply finding someone to occupy his position.

His goals, physical presence, pressing intensity, ability to stretch defences and threat in the penalty area have been central to Galatasaray's excellent start to the season. The timing also adds pressure.

The reigning Turkish champions travel to face Sporting CP knowing that their first Champions League test of the campaign will come without the player who played a key role in how far they went in the tournament last season.

Yet Adepoju believes Galatasaray have enough quality to overcome the setback. For Okan Buruk's side, the challenge now is to prove that Osimhen's absence can be managed rather than allowing the injury to show the cracks in their team.

If they can secure victory in Lisbon, it would provide an early indication that Galatasaray remain capable of competing at the highest level, and aren't over-dependent on their star Nigerian striker.