Osimhen’s Injury Hurt Galatasaray in UCL Match

Turkish football expert Sinan Engin thinks Galatasaray would have done better against Sporting CP if Victor Osimhen was fit. They lost 3-1 in the Champions League match in Lisbon on Wednesday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Osimhen missed the game due to a groin injury he picked up during Galatasaray’s 3-2 win over Istanbul Basaksehir. His absence left the Turkish champions short of one of their best attacking players for this important European match.

Galatasaray had some moments with the ball but could not turn those into real chances. Engin believes that not having Osimhen played a big part in their inability to challenge Sporting.

“Galatasaray had possession percentage but no results. Perhaps they are one of the weakest teams they could play against in the Champions League. I don’t accept that Sporting is a flying, amazing team,” Engin said on the Asist Analiz YouTube channel, via Habersarikirmizi.

“If Galatasaray had been a little better, and Osimhen had been there, this match would have been very different.”

Without Osimhen, Galatasaray lacked speed, strength, and the ability to stretch Sporting's defense. Sporting managed to hold Galatasaray's attack and earned the win.

This defeat also shows Galatasaray's struggle in the Champions League when Osimhen is not around. The Turkish champions have now gone six matches without a win in the competition without him. They have four losses and two draws in this time.

Their losses came against Sporting, AZ Alkmaar, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Union Saint-Gilloise, while they drew with Malmö and Rigas Skola.

Osimhen has become a key player for Galatasaray since he joined the club. His presence is very important for their goals in both local and European games.

The 25-year-old will now focus on healing from his groin injury. Galatasaray hopes he can return soon as they try to get back on track in the Champions League.

Wednesday’s loss has again shown the gap in attack when the Nigerian is not available. Engin believes the result could have been different if Osimhen had been fit to play.