Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk says Victor Osimhen is benefiting from a major change in the way his side attack after the Nigerian striker helped his team beat Göztepe 3-2 at RAMS Park, Footynaija reports.
Osimhen scored once and assisted another goal on Saturday as Galatasaray recovered from Novatus Miroshi’s 16th-minute opener to maintain their perfect start to the Trendyol Süper Lig season.
The 27-year-old now has five goals and three assists from his first three league appearances, but Buruk believes the numbers are not only down to the striker’s finishing.
Galatasaray are creating more chances and getting the ball to Osimhen in better areas.
“But the best part of our game was actually from the 45th minute until we made it 3-2. I think we played that period very well,” Buruk told Galatasaray.org.
“We had more possession, played forward passes and moved the ball well. I think we solved our opponent very clearly during that period. We created many chances.
“Compared with last season, I agree with what you said. Our number of shots had never been this high. Osimhen is receiving more balls this time, getting into more positions inside the penalty area, and we have a Galatasaray team that is creating more chances.
“We have scored nine goals in three games. That is an average of three goals per game. In addition, in the first and third matches, we got the ball into the opposition penalty area many times, created many chances and took many shots. Our expected goals numbers were very high. That is the positive side.”
Against Göztepe, Osimhen created four chances and had eight shots, with five on target. He set up Gabriel Sara for Galatasaray’s second goal in the 55th minute before winning and scoring a penalty eight minutes later.
Juan Santos pulled one back in the 65th minute, while VAR later cancelled an Osimhen header for offside. Göztepe goalkeeper Luka Gugeshashvili also denied him twice, including a stoppage-time effort.
Osimhen finished with an 8.8 FotMob rating, won 80% of his aerial duels and completed 21 of 25 passes. He was named Man of the Match.
Buruk admitted Galatasaray should have made the game safer.
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“We were still able to make transitions and created many chances. We also had a goal ruled out. We created more chances and could have scored again if we had made better final passes. But, at the same time, you have an opponent who can threaten you. So you have to take defensive measures because you also want to protect the three points.”
Osimhen won the Golden Boot in his first Galatasaray season before Paul Onuachu and Eldor Shomurodov shared the award last term.
