Galatasaray head coach, Okan Buruk, has admitted that the Turkish champions missed Victor Osimhen during their narrow 1-0 victory over Kocaelispor.
Osimhen was unavailable for the match after sustaining a groin injury in Galatasaray’s 3-2 win over Istanbul Başakşehir on September 4. It was the Nigerian striker’s second consecutive game on the sidelines.
Galatasaray eventually secured all three points at home through a 71st-minute goal from defender Abdülkerim Bardakcı.
Despite the victory, Buruk acknowledged the difference Osimhen makes to the team, particularly with his pressing, movement and presence in the penalty area.
“Having Osimhen is a strength, not just because of the player himself, but also psychologically. Just having him on the field makes a difference,” Buruk said.
The manager, however, insisted that Galatasaray remain capable of winning games without the Nigeria international, praising the quality of the squad and the performance of Deniz Gül, who made his first appearance for the club.
“With Osimhen, the game is very different, especially when it comes to pressing from the front and having a striker like him in the penalty area,” Buruk said. “We are strong with Osimhen. We are also strong without him because we have quality players. But we miss Osimhen.”
The victory keeps Galatasaray among the early leaders in the Turkish Süper Lig, while Osimhen continues his recovery from the groin injury.
Galatasaray will hope to have the Nigerian forward back as soon as possible as the club balances its domestic campaign with its UEFA Champions League commitments.
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