Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is aiming for a remarkable turnaround as Galatasaray host AZ Alkmaar in their crucial Europa League playoff second leg on Thursday, needing to overcome a daunting 4-1 first-leg deficit.
The Nigerian international, who missed the first leg due to suspension, returns to lead the line for the Turkish giants, fresh off a 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 told Turkish outlet *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.”
Osimhen’s confidence is backed by his impressive form since joining Galatasaray on loan from Napoli last summer. He has scored 14 goals and provided four assists in 18 league appearances, while also netting five goals and one assist in the Europa League.
His return, along with Davinson Sanchez and Lucas Torreira from suspension, provides a major 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 only club to have accomplished this feat, recovering from a 3-0 loss to defeat Basel 5-0 in 2014.
Former Turkish manager Önder Özen highlighted the importance of these key players’ absences in the first leg.
“No Torreira, no Davinson Sanchez, no Osimhen. You can’t play the same game without 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.”
Despite the challenges, Galatasaray have reason for optimism at RAMS Park. The Turkish champions have scored three or more goals in six of their last seven European home games and are currently the Europa League’s top scorers with 20 goals. Their recent 2-1 victory over Rizespor, where Osimhen scored both goals, has further 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, and 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 defensive concerns. They have conceded in their last 21 continental matches, and another goal could make their task even harder. Additionally, new signings Przemyslaw Frankowski and Mario Lemina, despite featuring against Rizespor, are ineligible as they were not 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, currently third in the Europa League scoring charts with 17 goals, arrive in Istanbul well-rested after being given the weekend off from domestic competition. The Dutch side boasts the Eredivisie’s second-best defensive record this season and is on a four-match winning streak across all competitions.
Their top scorer, Troy Parrott, who has 17 goals this season, including three in his last three Europa League appearances, will spearhead 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 hopes alive.
