Galatasaray’s stuttering form since losing Victor Osimhen to injury has drawn comment from one of Turkish football’s most recognised voices, with analyst Mustafa Denizli arguing the Nigeria international’s unavailability is a loss felt across the entire Super Lig — not just within the Istanbul club.
Osimhen has been sidelined since sustaining an injury during Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League fixture against Liverpool at Anfield last month. The striker subsequently underwent surgery and is currently following a specialised rehabilitation programme as the club’s medical staff work to accelerate his recovery.
The impact of his absence has been visible in Galatasaray’s results. The defending champions have managed only four points from their last three league matches, failing to win two of those games — a significant dip in form for a side that entered the campaign as title favourites.
According to quotes reported by Haber Sari Kirmizi, Denizli was emphatic about the broader significance of Osimhen’s role. “Osimhen is a key player not just for Galatasaray, but for the entire league. We can’t attribute this solely to his individual performance,” the analyst stated.
Denizli went further, pointing to the striker’s influence on those around him as a critical factor: “Osimhen’s absence is a factor that negatively affects those playing around him, to his right, left, and behind him.”
The comments reflect a wider acknowledgement within Turkish football circles that Osimhen, since joining Galatasaray on loan from Napoli ahead of the 2024-25 season, has become one of the Super Lig’s most influential attacking forces. His physicality, movement, and finishing have consistently created space and opportunities for teammates, making his absence a structural problem rather than simply a personnel one.
With the league title race entering its decisive phase, the timing of the injury could not be more consequential. Galatasaray’s lead at the summit has been trimmed to just two points over fierce rivals Fenerbahce, with Trabzonspor also remaining in contention. The fixture that looms largest on the calendar is the derby against Fenerbahce on April 26, 2026 — a match widely regarded as potentially decisive in determining who lifts the Super Lig title.
The club has confirmed that Osimhen has returned to training under a tailored programme designed to maximise his chances of featuring in that contest. Whether he will be sufficiently match-fit to start — or feature at all — in such a high-stakes fixture remains to be seen.
Should Osimhen remain unavailable for the Fenerbahce derby, Galatasaray will face the prospect of navigating their most important match of the season without the player widely considered their most dangerous attacking threat. For a club chasing back-to-back league titles, the next fortnight may define their entire campaign.
