Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has admitted his side are finding life difficult without Victor Osimhen following the striker’s recent injury setback.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Osimhen has not featured for the Yellow and Reds since suffering a forearm injury during last month’s UEFA Champions League clash with Liverpool.
The reigning champions have since stumbled, winning once and losing twice in their last three outings. Their latest result was a 1-1 draw against Kocaelispor on Sunday.
“The game with Osimhen is also valuable and important. It was tough without Osimhen,” Buruk said after the stalemate.
Concerns over the Nigerian forward’s absence have also been echoed by Turkish football analyst Mustafa Denizli, who believes the striker’s influence extends well beyond his own goals.
Osimhen is currently undergoing rehabilitation after surgery on the injury he sustained in the first half of the Champions League tie at Anfield.
In his absence, Galatasaray have struggled for consistency, taking just four points from a possible nine. While they remain top of the Turkish Super Lig, their advantage has been cut to two points, with Fenerbahce closing in and Trabzonspor still in contention.
“Osimhen is a crucial player not only for Galatasaray but for the entire league. We cannot attribute this solely to his personal performance,” Denizli said.
“Osimhen’s absence is a factor that negatively affects those playing around him, to his right, left, and behind him.”
Galatasaray’s medical team are working to have the striker fit in time for the potentially decisive derby against Fenerbahce on April 26, 2026.
