Former Premier League forward Troy Deeney has pinned Galatasaray’s Champions League defeat on the absence of Victor Osimhen, insisting the Turkish giants are a different side without their Nigerian talisman.
Osimhen missed Tuesday night’s 1–0 loss to Royale Union SG at Rams Park after picking up a minor hamstring injury while on international duty with Nigeria. The striker has now sat out Galatasaray’s last two games including Saturday’s Super Lig clash with Gençlerbirliği and his absence was once again glaring.
Mauro Icardi led the line but struggled to impose himself, and Galatasaray lacked the sharpness and power Osimhen typically brings to their attack. Promise David’s second half strike sealed Union SG’s win, leaving the home crowd frustrated and the statistics even more damning: Gala have won every Champions League match Osimhen has featured in, and lost both he has missed.
Deeney: “You can’t replace a striker like that”
Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, Deeney who scored 47 Premier League goals for Watford didn’t mince words about Osimhen’s importance.
“Victor Osimhen… you can’t underplay his importance to the team,” he said. “Yes, they’ve got Lemina and others who add different things, but Osimhen is one of the top five strikers in world football.
“If you don’t have someone like that, you can’t just pull anybody from the bench. Without Osimhen they’ve lost a big part they need to get him back as soon as possible.”
Osimhen remains the Champions League’s leading scorer this season, with six goals in his opening three games, and he is also Galatasaray’s top marksman across all competitions.
Return date approaching
The Super Eagles forward will be assessed again on Friday to determine if he can return in time for Galatasaray’s heated derby against Fenerbahçe in the Super Lig.
Even if that fixture comes too soon, the club expect him back before their next Champions League assignment, a crucial away trip to Monaco at the Stade Louis II.
