Uncertainty continues to surround Galatasaray as scrutiny intensifies on head coach Okan Buruk, with the club entering a decisive stretch of the season without talisman Victor Osimhen.
The Istanbul side remain top of the Süper Lig table with 64 points from 27 matches, but their advantage has been cut to the bare minimum following a 2-1 loss to Trabzonspor on April 4. Closest challengers Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor now trail by just a single point, intensifying the pressure ahead of a crucial run-in.
While recent form shows four wins in five league games, deeper concerns persist. Away struggles have proven costly, with four consecutive defeats across competitions, and the absence of Osimhen has had a clear impact—Galatasaray have lost five matches without the Nigerian this season.
Osimhen’s influence remains undeniable. The forward has registered 12 league goals in 19 appearances, adding seven more in European competition as Galatasaray reached the UEFA Champions League knockout stage for the first time in over a decade. His importance is reflected in Buruk’s own words, with the coach previously hailing him as one of the standout performers in world football and structuring his system around the striker’s intensity, movement, and finishing.
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The 25-year-old is currently recovering from surgery after fracturing his forearm in a collision with Ibrahima Konaté. Although initially ruled out for up to eight weeks, his rehabilitation has progressed faster than expected. He has resumed light training and could return in time for the high-profile derby against Fenerbahçe on April 26, potentially wearing a protective splint.
However, he is set to miss upcoming fixtures against Göztepe, Kocaelispor, and a Turkish Cup clash with Gençlerbirliği—matches that could prove pivotal in shaping the title race.
Amid the growing tension, Turkish analyst Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı has issued a blunt warning regarding Buruk’s future, stressing that immediate results will be decisive.
“If Galatasaray fails to win the Göztepe and Kocaelispor matches, Okan Buruk will be sacked. This is Galatasaray. Know this. Okan Buruk, you too should play this team without Osimhen.”
With the title race tightening and their most decisive attacker still sidelined, Galatasaray now face a defining spell—one that could determine not only their championship ambitions, but also the future of their man on the touchline.
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