‘When Osimhen came on’ – Turkish pundit explains Galatasaray’s late Kasimpasa comeback

Victor Osimhen made an immediate impact on his return from injury as Galatasaray scored twice in the closing stages to beat Kasımpaşa 3-1 in the Turkish Süper Lig on Friday.

The Super Eagles striker came off the bench in the 77th minute, with the score at 1-1, before providing the assist for Mario Lemina's stoppage-time goal at RAMS Park.

Former Trabzonspor and Konyaspor winger Erman Özgür believes Osimhen's presence changed the game, even though Galatasaray were playing with 10 men following Lucas Torreira's red card.

The Nigerian striker had been sidelined for 35 days after suffering a groin injury against İstanbul Başakşehir on September 4. His return offered Galatasaray a timely boost ahead of their UEFA Champions League meeting with Barcelona on Tuesday.

Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker. Photo by IMAGO

What Erman Özgür said about Osimhen

Özgür, now a Turkish football pundit, believes Osimhen's influence extends beyond his own goalscoring.

The 49 year-old former Turkey youth international argued that the Nigeria international striker's presence also affects the confidence and finishing of his teammates.

“Whether Osimhen is on the field or not also affects his teammates' finishing,” Özgür said per Tivibu Spor.

“Today, Deniz did some good work from time to time, but when Osimhen came on, the advantage of Kasımpaşa playing with an extra man was nullified.”

How the match unfolded

With Osimhen, who has been advised to leave Galatasaray, on the bench, the home team started with 22-year-old Deniz Gul at the tip of its attack.

Copyright: xSeskimphotox IMAGO

Head coach Okan Buruk's plans appeared to go as desired after Galatasaray took the lead in the 45th minute when captain Abdülkerim Bardakcı headed home from a free-kick.

However, the contest changed in the 63rd minute when Torreira's yellow card was upgraded to red following a VAR review.

Kasımpaşa capitalised five minutes later, with Jesurun Rak-Sakyi scoring to make it 1-1.

Osimhen and Leroy Sané entered in the 77th minute, immediately adding more threat to Galatasaray's attack. Sané came close to scoring from Osimhen's knockdown, while the Nigerian also threatened the visitors' defence.

Barış Alper Yılmaz restored Galatasaray's lead in the 90th minute before the Super Eagles forward set up Lemina to seal the victory in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

The victory lifted Galatasaray back to the top of the Super Lig table with 16 points from seven league matches.

Osimhen's return could prove crucial when the Turkish champions welcome Barcelona in the Champions League.

Galatasaray currently have zero points in the league phase of Europe's premier club competition after losing their first match to Sporting CP.