Former Watford captain, Troy Deeney has attributed Galatasaray’s 1–0 UEFA Champions League defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise to the absence of star striker Victor Osimhen, insisting the Nigerian’s value to the Turkish champions cannot be overstated.
Galatasaray suffered their second loss of the campaign on Tuesday night, falling to a disciplined USG side.
Their first defea, a heavy 5–1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt, also came without Osimhen, highlighting how crucial the forward is to the team’s attacking structure.
“You just can’t underplay his importance” – Deeney
Speaking after the match, Deeney declared that Osimhen’s unique quality and status as one of the best forwards in world football makes him irreplaceable.
“You just can’t underplay his importance to the team. Yes, they’ve got Lemina and other players that add other elements, but Osimhen is one of the top five strikers in world football.”
“If you don’t have someone like that, you can’t just pull anybody from the bench. Without Osimhen, they’ve lost a big part; they need to get him back as soon as possible.”
The Englishman added that few clubs in Europe can function effectively without their main goal threat, and Galatasaray are no exception.
Osimhen’ Impact on Galatasaray’s Champions League Form
The statistics reinforce Deeney’s argument. Galatasaray have won all three Champions League matches in which Osimhen has featured this season, with the striker scoring six goals in those fixtures.
His influence extends beyond the group stage. Osimhen is also in the best European scoring form of his career, having found the net in eight consecutive matches for the Turkish giants, tallying 12 goals in that period.
Manager Okan Buruk has built the team’s attacking identity around the Nigerian, whose movement, pace, and clinical finishing have transformed Galatasaray into a dangerous force.
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Turkish champions struggle without their talisman
Without Osimhen, Galatasaray looked blunt in attack against Union Saint-Gilloise, struggling to create clear-cut chances and failing to capitalize on key moments.
The defeat leaves them under pressure as the group stage enters its decisive phase.
The club remains hopeful that Osimhen will return soon, with medical staff closely monitoring his recovery. His presence could be decisive in determining whether Galatasaray advance to the knockout rounds.
