José Mourinho’s start at Fenerbahçe this season has been far from convincing, and according to former Turkey international Serhat Akın, the problem lies in one glaring absence: a striker of Victor Osimhen’s calibre, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Portuguese manager has endured a frustrating opening to the campaign in Istanbul.
Mourinho’s side narrowly scraped past Feyenoord in the Champions League qualifiers, advancing only after recovering from a 2-1 defeat in the first leg.
Domestically, their struggles continued with a disappointing goalless draw against Göztepe in the league.
Despite playing with a two-man advantage for much of the second half after Juan Santos da Silva and Ismail Koybasi were dismissed, Fenerbahçe could not break the deadlock. Their own numbers were later reduced when Jayden Oosterwolde was shown red in the 85th minute, but by then the damage was done with two points lost.
The same pattern resurfaced in Europe. At home to Benfica in the final qualifying round of the Champions League, Fenerbahçe again failed to make their numerical superiority count.
Benfica were reduced to ten men when Florentino Luís was dismissed, yet Mourinho’s side could not find a decisive goal. That result leaves the Turkish giants facing an uphill battle in next week’s return leg in Lisbon.
For Akın, who once wore the yellow-and-navy shirt with distinction, the issue is obvious. He believes Mourinho is working with a squad that lacks the kind of game-changer Galatasaray boast in Victor Osimhen.
“If Galatasaray had not been able to beat Benfica, who were down to 10 men, they would have faced a huge backlash,” Akın said as per Habersarikirmizi.
“Jose Mourinho couldn’t do anything. Benfica made a defensive move in the 80th minute, but again, Mourinho didn’t make any attacking moves.”
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Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray permanently this summer in a record-breaking move from Napoli, is the most valuable player in Turkish football.
The Nigerian striker scored 37 goals and contributed eight assists across all competitions last season while on loan in Istanbul. His firepower delivered a league and cup double, while Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe were left to settle for second-best.
That gulf between the Istanbul rivals already appears to be resurfacing. Galatasaray have opened the league campaign with back-to-back 3-0 wins, showing the influence of their attacking stars.
Mauro Icardi is increasingly looking sharp after being sidelined for a long spell, while Osimhen is being eased back after missing preseason. The Nigerian forward featured as a substitute in the 3-0 victory over Fatih Karagümrük.
Akın believes those two strikers represent exactly what Fenerbahçe are missing.
“Fenerbahçe doesn’t have the man to solve the game,” Akın added.
“In the Göztepe and Benfica matches, the opponents are down to 10 men, but there’s no player capable of scoring. Mauro Icardi is warming up at Galatasaray, and the stands are pumped. Victor Osimhen comes on and creates excitement.
“Thanks to these players, they achieved a 3-0 victory against Karagümrük and won comfortably. In this respect, Fenerbahçe has serious shortcomings.”
Osimhen is expected to make his first start of the league season when Galatasaray travel to Kayserispor on Sunday.