Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has attributed his side’s recent inconsistent run of form to the injury-enforced absence of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, Footynaija.com reports.
Osimhen has had to sit out Galatasaray’s last three Super Lig matches after suffering a fractured arm just before the international break and in his absence, the Lions have struggled to produce consistent performances and results.
Following a 2-1 loss to Trabzonspor and a 3-1 victory over Gotzepe, Galatasaray battled to a 1-1 draw against Kocaelispor at RAMS Park on Sunday, bringing their record in the last three games to one win, one draw and one defeat.
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Speaking after the draw, Buruk suggested that Gala suffered from fatigue during the match but the Turkish tactician also did not shy away from admitting that his team may be finding games tough without their Nigerian talisman.
“Playing three games in a row this week wore us out. The most critical part was having two or three players at half capacity. Yunus, Lang and Sara played with injuries,” Buruk was quoted by Sporx. “The game with Osimhen is also valuable and important. It was tough without Osimhen.”
Galatasaray have, as a matter of fact, struggled in games without Osimhen this season. Earlier in the campaign, they suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to fierce rivals Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Cup, drew 1-1 with Gaziantep and lost 2-0 to Konyaspor in the league with the Super Eagles hitman unable to participate.
Sunday’s draw with Kocaelispor has thrown the Super Lig title race wide open with Galatasaray’s lead at the summit now cut to just two points ahead of the final five games of the season.
Barring any setbacks, the Lions should welcome Osimhen back into the squad for next weekend’s trip to Genclerbirligi where they’ll be looking to get back to winning ways in the Super Lig.
