By Daily Sports Nigeria on February 20, 2025

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is targeting a miraculous turnaround when Galatasaray host AZ Alkmaar in their crucial Europa League playoff second leg on Thursday (today), needing to overturn a daunting 4-1 first-leg deficit.

 The Nigeria international, who missed the first leg through suspension, returns to lead the line for the Turkish giants, buoyed by his match-winning brace in Monday’s 2-1 victory over Rizespor that extended their Super Lig lead to six points.

 “The return match in Istanbul will be very different. With the support of our fans, we will show them the true power of Galatasaray,” Osimhen had told Fotomac after the first game.

 “I will score my goals. Leave AZ Alkmaar to me. We will be the side that advances. I am sure of that. Everyone should keep their morale high.”

The 25-year-old’s confidence stems from his exceptional form since joining Galatasaray on loan from Napoli last summer. He has netted 14 goals and provided four assists in 18 league appearances, while also registering five goals and one assist in the Europa League.

 His return, alongside those of Davinson Sanchez and Lucas Torreira from suspension, provides a significant boost for Okan Buruk’s side as they attempt to achieve what only one team has managed in Europa League history – overturning a three-goal first-leg deficit. Valencia remains the sole side to accomplish this feat, recovering from a 3-0 loss to defeat Basel 5-0 in 2014.

 Former Turkish manager Önder Özen had highlighted how crucial these absences were in the first leg.

 “No Torreira, no Davinson Sanchez, no Osimhen. You can’t play the same game without the three important players in the backbone,” Özen said via habersarikirmizi.

 “This is the first time I’ve seen Galatasaray this disorganized in the last two and a half seasons.”

 However, there are reasons for optimism at the RAMS Park. Galatasaray have scored three or more goals in six of their last seven European home games and are the competition’s top scorers with 20 goals. Their recent 2-1 victory over Rizespor, where Osimhen scored both goals, has lifted team morale.

 “I think it was a very important and very difficult match,” Osimhen told Galatasaray’s website after the Rizespor win.

 “We won, we think we won in a way we deserved. I want to congratulate the whole team. I also want to thank our fans. This victory and their support gave us a lot of morale.”

 However, Galatasaray face significant challenges beyond the scoreline. They have conceded in their last 21 continental matches, and shipping one more goal would make their task even more difficult. Additionally, new signings Przemyslaw Frankowski and Mario Lemina, despite featuring against Rizespor, are ineligible having not been registered in the club’s updated UEFA squad list.

 The Turkish champions will also be without Kaan Ayhan, who was sent off in the first leg, while Alvaro Morata (hamstring), Mauro Icardi (ACL), Yunus Akgun and Ismail Jakobs (both muscular injuries) remain sidelined.

 AZ, who sit third in the Europa League scoring charts with 17 goals, arrive in Istanbul well-rested having had the weekend off from domestic duty. They boast the Eredivisie’s second-best defensive record this season and are on a four-match winning streak across all competitions.

 The Dutch side’s top scorer Troy Parrott, who has 17 goals this season including three in his last three Europa League appearances, will lead their attack as they aim to secure a last-16 clash with either Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur.

 For Galatasaray and Osimhen, nothing less than a historic performance will suffice to keep their European dreams alive.

Source Punch Ng

Posted February 20, 2025

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