Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen will miss the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round-of-16 clash against AZ Alkmaar due to suspension. Manager Orkan Buruk must find a replacement, with Alvaro Morata, Dries Mertens, and Roland Sallai as options. The team aims for a solid result before the second leg.
Galatasaray will be without Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen for their crucial UEFA Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar, as the striker is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards. Osimhen, who has been a key figure for the Turkish club, will miss the first leg of the round-of-16 playoff in the Netherlands.
The 26-year-old has been instrumental in Galatasaray’s European campaign, scoring five goals and providing one assist in six matches. His absence is a significant setback for the team, which will now have to rely on alternative attacking options to secure a favorable result ahead of the second leg in Turkey.
Manager Orkan Buruk faces a tough decision on how to replace Osimhen. Among the options are veteran forward Dries Mertens, recent signing Alvaro Morata, and Hungarian international Roland Sallai. Morata, who arrived from AC Milan in the January transfer window, is seen as the likely replacement, though he is yet to make a significant impact at the club.
Despite the setback, Galatasaray remains optimistic about their chances. The team aims to at least secure a draw in Alkmaar before welcoming Osimhen back for the return leg in Istanbul. His presence in the second leg could be crucial as Galatasaray seeks to progress further in the competition.
With a strong squad and tactical adjustments, Galatasaray hopes to overcome Osimhen’s absence and put themselves in a good position to advance to the next round of the Europa League.
