Galatasaray v Barça: Osimhen returns in time for the big test

Galatasaray's stadium before a match, 16 May 2022. Archive: Antoloji, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Victor Osimhen did not need to score to make a successful comeback. On Friday, against Kasımpaşa, the Nigerian striker came on with Galatasaray down to ten men and being held. In stoppage time, his pass allowed Mario Lemina to seal the win (3–1). Four days later, the challenge moves up a level: Barça are coming to Istanbul.

This Tuesday's match, 13 October, the second matchday of the Champions League league phase, kicks off at 20:00 Brazzaville time at RAMS Park. For those following the Super Eagles in Europe, the question is what place Osimhen will find in Galatasaray's attack after his absence. Whether he starts, and how many minutes he plays, remain to be seen.

A comeback that gives one more option

Against Kasımpaşa, Osimhen and Leroy Sané came on in the 77th minute, with the score at 1–1. Barış Alper Yılmaz put Galatasaray ahead in the 90th minute, before Lemina's goal at 90+6. The Nigerian therefore played a part in the winning finish, without being the sole architect of the result.

His pass to the Gabonese midfielder is also a reminder that more can be expected of him than finishing. Setting up a team-mate at the right moment is part of what he offers. Tonight, how Galatasaray manage to find him, and then support his moves, will be as interesting as any count of his shots.

A European goalscorer facing another kind of challenge

With Galatasaray, Osimhen has 13 goals in 17 European appearances. That record explains why his return matters; it does not yet say how many minutes he will be able to play on Tuesday. His appearance on Friday is a first marker, not a guarantee for a full match.

Barça, for their part, will be without Raphinha. That absence does not sum up the opposition: Lamine Yamal is among the threats Galatasaray will have to contain. Getting their centre-forward back and holding firm against the Catalan attack will be two separate demands for the hosts.

At kick-off, the first thing to watch will be the Galatasaray coach's choice: Osimhen from the start, or another appearance from the bench. After that, the answer will come in his interplay with his team-mates. The return is done; his influence against Barça is still to be built.

Find the Galatasaray–Barcelona match page on SNA.