By The9jaTREND
With a crucial tie against English Premier League (EPL) champion, Liverpool on the horizon, Galatasaray are willing to do anything to have it striker, Victor Osimhen play in the Champions League tie.
Galatasaray boss Orkan Buruk has revealed that Victor Osimhen was deliberately made to play through pain in their narrow league win as part of a calculated plan to get him ready for Liverpool.
The Nigerian striker made his return from injury after weeks on the sidelines, but he’s still far from full fitness ahead of a crucial Champions League clash.
Victor Osimhen returned to action for the first time in two weeks during Galatasaray’s 1–0 victory over Alanyaspor at the Gain Park Stadyumu. The Super Eagles star had been out with an ankle injury and was introduced as an 85th-minute substitute to help his side close out a tough match.
Speaking after the game, coach Orkan Buruk admitted that Osimhen’s appearance was carefully planned, even though the striker is not yet fully fit.
“We wanted to play Osimhen for 10 minutes today. We wanted him to experience the pain. Sometimes there’s pain, and playing through pain is important,” Buruk said, as quoted by En Son Haber.
He explained that the 25-year-old forward hasn’t been able to fully train with the team since his return from national duty.
“He’s not 100% physically ready. He hasn’t had a team training session since returning from the national team. He played briefly with us yesterday.”
Buruk also revealed that bringing Osimhen on late was a strategic move, despite tactical compromises.
“We’ll assess his pain and physical condition before thinking about the next match. Barış might have wanted a winger there when he came off today, but I specifically brought Osimhen on so he could play 10 minutes, have a chance to play the next match, and contribute to us.
“We may have changed our formation and had trouble covering the opposition. However, we’re taking these risks to ensure he plays.”
Galatasaray’s next game is a high-stakes UEFA Champions League encounter against Liverpool at Rams Park. The Turkish champions were thrashed 5–1 by Eintracht Frankfurt in their previous group fixture, and the pressure is on to produce a strong response at home.
Buruk’s handling of Osimhen’s situation suggests that the striker is unlikely to play the full 90 minutes, but his presence, even off the bench, could be decisive.
The plan is to gradually build Osimhen’s match sharpness, even if it means managing pain and risking minor setbacks. The coach’s comments make it clear that the club is prioritizing his involvement in the Liverpool clash, despite the risks involved.
“We’ll assess his pain and physical condition before thinking about the next match,” Buruk reiterated, signalling that Osimhen’s availability will depend on how his body reacts in the coming days.
For now, Galatasaray are walking a tightrope: balancing their star striker’s recovery with the urgent need for a statement performance in Europe. Osimhen’s impact, even in short bursts, could be the spark they need against Jurgen Klopp’s side.