Turkish Super Lig Champions Galatasaray came from behind to secure their 10th league victory of the season with a 3-2 win over Gençlerbirliği on Saturday, despite Victor Osimhen’s absence through injury, Bold Sports reports.
The Super Eagles striker was confirmed to have sustained a moderate level of strain and bleeding in his left posterior muscle while on international duty, ruling him out of the clash.
In his absence, head coach Okan Buruk deployed Baris Asper Yilmaz to lead the attack while experienced striker Mauro Icardi started from the bench.
Things went from bad to worse for Galatasaray as Mario Lemina picked up an injury in the 17th minute of the game and had to be replaced by Yusuf Demir. Few minutes later, the visitors stunned the league leaders, with M’baye Niang scoring the opening goal.
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Another injury forced Okan Buruk to introduce Mauro Icardi in the 40th minute, replacing Wilfried Singo. However, it was the Argentinian who leveled the scoreline 10 minutes into the second half, netting his seventh league goal of the season to make it 1-1.
Just two minutes after the equaliser, Baris Asper Yilmaz scored to give Galatasaray a 2-1 lead, and in the 66th minute, the Turkish forward assisted Ilkay Gündogan to extend the hosts’ advantage.
Despite the turn of events, Gençlerbirliği failed to back down and they got a glimmer of hope through Metehan Mimaroglu’s header in the 77th minute, making it 3-2. Nonetheless, Galatasaray held on to secure victory, taking them up to 32 points in 13 games.
The victory means that Galatasaray will remain on top of the Super Lig table regardless of results elsewhere. They will look to take that momentum into the Champions League when they face Union St.Gilloise in their next game on Tuesday.
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