Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has explained the reason behind his decision to substitute Victor Osimhen in the club’s 4-1 win over Sivasspor. Osimhen scored twice for the holders in the comfortable victory at the RAMS Park, taking his tally to 33 goals across all competitions for the Yellow and Reds.
The 26-year-old Nigeria international was replaced by Dries Mertens 20 minutes into the second half, and Buruk revealed that he took the decision to protect the forward. “I prevented him from raising his career record (laughing). I took him out of the game early. Thinking about the next match, I wanted to reduce the risk of injury and he is on the verge of a card,” Buruk told the club’s official website.
Buruk added that the players wanted to continue playing, but he prioritized protecting Osimhen. “The players actually want to continue. He could have scored a hat-trick today. We are also fighting a separate battle to protect our players on the sidelines. That is why I may have prevented him from improving his career record.”
Osimhen’s impressive form has been a significant factor in Galatasaray’s success this season. The striker has now scored 33 goals across all competitions, eclipsing the 31 he registered two years ago for Napoli. Buruk’s decision to substitute Osimhen may have been motivated by a desire to keep him fresh and avoid any potential injuries ahead of the next match.
The win over Sivasspor was a convincing one for Galatasaray, with Osimhen’s two goals contributing to the team’s dominant performance. As the season draws to a close, Galatasaray will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure a positive result in their upcoming fixtures. With Osimhen in top form, the team will be hoping to build on their success and achieve their goals.