Fenerbahçe coach Domenico Tedesco has lauded his team’s defending of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen when they clashed with Galatasaray on Monday, Soccernet.ng reports.
After sustaining an injury while on international break with Nigeria, Osimhen had to be rushed back into action for the Cimbom’s clash against fierce rivals Fenerbahçe at the Ülker Stadium Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu.
The two clubs have one of the biggest rivalries in world football, so the game was expected to be very tight. Indeed, it lived up to expectations.
Leroy Sané scored for Galatasaray in the first half, but John Durán equalized late into stoppage time to ensure the match ended 1-1.
Osimhen played 89 minutes and was replaced by Mauro Icardi. He had a very tough game, as he registered three shots, 30 touches, and lost possession 12 times.
He was well-marshaled on the night and even rough-handled at times.
After the game, coach Tedesco revealed that he anticipated that Galatasaray would plan to play many long balls to Osimhen and Barış Alper Yılmaz. He added that he set up his team to be able to neutralize them.
“We’re playing against Galatasaray, not some joke of a match,” Tedesco said, per Fanatik.
“I don’t think Galatasaray controlled the game either. In matches like this, winning second balls is important. They played long balls to Osimhen and Baris, and we defended most of them well.”
Is Victor Osimhen Doing Enough For Galatasaray?
When Galatasaray paid Napoli €75 million for Victor Osimhen and offered him a bumper contract, he was expected to deliver immediately.
He was expected to walk on water, turn water to wine, or at least, be their clutch player. But he hasn’t entirely lived up to that expectation in the domestic scene this season.
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He has been great in the Champions League, contributing six goals in three games. On the domestic scene, however, he has been struggling.
Osimhen has registered just three goals in 10 Super Lig games. This is a paltry return for a player of his quality in the Turkish league.
In the crucial big games against Beşiktaş, İstanbul Başakşehir, Trabzonspor, and Fenerbahçe, he has failed to score goals. Yet, he was specifically brought in for these kinds of decisive fixtures.
While the bulk of the blame could go to his teammates for failing to perform at optimum levels, Osimhen also deserves some criticism.
Despite their draw against Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray still sit comfortably at the top of the Turkish Super Lig.
However, they are just one point above second-placed Fenerbahçe and two points clear of third-placed Trabzonspor. If they continue to drop points, their rivals will surely be there to capitalize.