Buruk Admits Victor Osimhen Absence Is Hurting Galatasaray

According to reports from Ireporter Online, Okan Buruk has admitted that the absence of Victor Osimhen is taking a significant toll on Galatasaray as the team’s grip on the Turkish Süper Lig title race begins to weaken. The reigning champions have seen their advantage at the summit reduced to just two points following a disappointing run of three matches without a win, recording two losses and a draw.

Osimhen has been sidelined since sustaining a forearm fracture during Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League clash against Liverpool in March, and his absence has exposed clear deficiencies in the team’s attacking setup. Since the injury, the club has managed only one point from a possible nine, underlining the striker’s crucial role in their offensive play.

Speaking after a 1-1 draw with Kocaelispor, Buruk acknowledged the difficulty of coping without the Nigerian forward, noting that fatigue and injuries within the squad have compounded their struggles. He explained that several players have been operating below full fitness due to the intense schedule, which has affected overall performance levels.

The Galatasaray manager further highlighted the physical and mental demands of competing in Europe, revealing that the team’s involvement in the Champions League has significantly stretched the squad, equating the workload to nearly double that of domestic fixtures.

However, there is optimism on the horizon as Osimhen has returned to training and is expected to make a comeback soon. His return could provide a crucial boost for Galatasaray as they push to regain momentum in the final stretch of the season. The 27-year-old forward has been instrumental this campaign, registering 12 league goals and four assists in 19 appearances, with a total of 19 goals across all competitions.