Turkish media analyst Haluk Yürekli has revealed that Victor Osimhen remains a major injury concern for Galatasaray ahead of Wednesday’s high-stakes Champions League playoff rematch against Juventus. Speaking on TV100, the prominent journalist suggested that the 27-year-old forward might resort to pain-killing injections to spearhead the attack in Turin. These claims follow Osimhen’s absence from Saturday’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to Konyaspor, where the “Yellow and Reds” noticeably struggled to replicate their typical offensive fluidity without their Nigerian talisman.
While initial reports cited a potential meniscus issue, Yürekli clarified that the striker’s exclusion from domestic duty was primarily due to acute knee pain rather than a structural tear. The technical staff opted to rest Osimhen as a calculated risk, ensuring he could undergo intensive rehabilitation before the trip to the Allianz Stadium. Despite the discomfort, the former Napoli star has already rejoined full training sessions on Monday and Tuesday, signaling his determination to participate in the club’s most significant European fixture of the decade.
“Osimhen didn’t go to Konya because of a meniscus problem, but because of knee pain,” Yürekli said as quoted by Habersarikirmizi. “He was rested because there is a possibility he might play in the Juventus match. Most likely, he will be in the starting eleven for the Juventus match. There is also a possibility he might play with an injection there,” he said.
Osimhen’s availability remains a cornerstone of Okan Buruk’s tactical plan, especially after the striker dismantled the Juventus backline with two assists in the first leg’s 5-2 victory. Statistics from the current campaign underscore his importance; with six goals in seven Champions League appearances, he currently ranks among the most efficient finishers in the competition. The prospect of him playing at less than 100% health poses a dilemma for Galatasaray, yet Yürekli believes the medical team will do everything necessary to ensure he starts the match.
Juventus must overturn a three-goal deficit to keep their European dreams alive, and the presence of a compromised but dangerous Osimhen complicates their defensive strategy. Should the Nigerian require mid-match treatment or an early substitution, Mauro Icardi stands ready to deputize, but the psychological impact of Osimhen’s inclusion in the starting XI remains undeniable. As the 8:00 PM GMT kick-off approaches, supporters across Istanbul and Nigeria are anxiously awaiting the final team sheet to see if their star man will brave the pain to secure a place in the Round of 16.
