Turkish football analyst Sinan Engin believes Galatasaray would have produced a different result against Sporting CP if Victor Osimhen had been available, following their 3-1 Champions League defeat in Lisbon on Wednesday.
Osimhen missed the clash after sustaining a groin injury in Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir, leaving the Turkish champions without one of their most influential attacking players for the European tie.
Galatasaray enjoyed periods of possession but struggled to turn it into a consistent attacking threat, with Engin arguing that Osimhen’s absence was a major factor in their failure to trouble Sporting.
“Galatasaray had possession percentage but no results. Perhaps they are one of the weakest teams they could play against in the Champions League. I don’t accept that Sporting is a flying, amazing team,” Engin said on the Asist Analiz YouTube channel, via Habersarikirmizi.
“If Galatasaray had been a little better, and Osimhen had been there, this match would have been very different.”
The Nigerian’s absence deprived Galatasaray of his pace, physical presence and ability to stretch opposition defences, while Sporting were able to contain the visitors’ attack and secure the victory.
