'A real disadvantage' - Ex-Fenerbahce defender highlights Galatasaray's struggles without Osimhen

Former Fenerbahce defender Ilker Yagcıoglu has claimed that Galatasaray were at a clear disadvantage during their Istanbul derby with Basaksehir, insisting the game would have taken a different shape if Victor Osimhen was named in the starting lineup.

Osimhen, who recently returned from international duty with the Super Eagles, was left out of the starting lineup by Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk, who opted to rest his star striker ahead of the club's upcoming UEFA Champions League tie against Bodo/Glimt.

With Galatasaray holding a narrow one-goal lead, Buruk made four second half substitutions, one of which saw Osimhen replace Mauro Icardi.

The Turkish champions had earlier taken the lead through Leroy Sane just before half-time, but Eldor Shomurodov equalised shortly after the interval. 

Sané then restored the visitors advantage with his second goal of the evening in the 61st minute to seal a 2–1 victory.

Osimhen came close to extending Galatasaray's lead seven minutes from time but his strike rebounded off the woodwork.

Speaking on TRT Spor, Yagcıoglu argued that Galatasaray's record signing would have had a greater influence on the game if he had started rather than come off the bench.

"Osimhen 's absence is a real disadvantage. It makes a huge difference in the team," he was quoted as saying by habersarikirmizi.

"If Osimhen had been there, either in the moments when Başakşehir was dominating possession or if he had come on earlier, the match would have been very different."

Osimhen stole the headlines with his hat-trick in Nigeria's 4–0 triumph over Benin, but the 26-year-old has not netted in the Turkish Super Lig since August.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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