Galatasaray’s life insurance has struck again: Victor Osimhen single-handedly shot his team to victory in a 3-1 (2-0) win in the Champions League against Bodo/Glimt with a brace (3rd and 33rd minute) and an assist for Yunus Akgün (60th). Leroy Sané wasn’t involved in any goals, but he was also convincing.
Osminhen had already been the decisive man with his goal against Liverpool FC (1-0) and caused the surprise against the English champions. It only took a few moments against Bodo/Glimt for the Nigerian to be successful again – although there had already been fears that he would be substituted.
Osimhen first feels pain and then can celebrate
After a collision with Baris Yilmaz, Osimhen fell to the ground and was obviously in pain. Shortly afterwards, however, there was no more of it to be seen as Mario Lemina set him up perfectly and he curled the ball straight into the corner (3′). Osimhen had already scored as many goals in 75 minutes of action in the Champions League as he did in 316 minutes in the SüperLig, where things aren’t going so well for him.
But things are going well there for Galatasaray, who have taken 25 of 27 possible points in nine games – and the last three so far thanks to Sané. The new signing from FC Bayern Munich had come under criticism in recent weeks and had lost his regular place, but he was given another chance in the Istanbul derby at Basaksehir and took advantage of it with a brace in the 2-1 win.
Sané and Osimhen – that fits
And the German national player, who was recently not nominated, was also in a really good mood against Bodo/Glimt and harmonized perfectly with Osimhen. Within 60 seconds, Sané perfectly prepared two good header chances for his colleague, but both times Nikita Haikin was able to make strong saves in the opponent’s goal (7th/8th). Shortly afterwards, Sané tried it himself, but after a great dribble his shot was blocked (15th).
The game then petered out, Galatasaray withdrew and left the ball to their opponents – albeit far away from their own goal. Nothing happened, then Osimhen had a great opportunity, but Haikin also saved his shot with the pike from close range (29th). But the private duel continued and next time the “Gala” star was the winner again.
Galatasaray increased, Bodo/Glimt unlucky
After a hair-raising bad pass, Osimhen ran freely towards Haikin, rounded him and pushed the ball into the empty goal to make it 2-0 (33′). It was the 26-year-old’s fifth shot on goal, the fifth on goal and the second into the goal. The opposing defense couldn’t get a hold of the attacker at all, even shortly afterwards when Sané served him perfectly again, but Osimhen, for once, was free in front of the goal (43′).
Before that, Bodo/Glimt had his first opportunities, and really good ones. First, Jens Hauge dribbled freely in front of the Istanbul goal, but then shot wide from a completely free position (39th), then a long-range shot from Sondre Fet hit the post (43rd). This scene happened immediately before Osimhen had a chance to make it 3-0.
Osimhen becomes the ball conqueror and provider
The third goal almost came in the second half when Osimhen ran freely towards the opponent’s goal again. This time the top striker passed across, but was too unselfish. A defender made a save, then Sané got to the ball and tried to outplay Haikin, but he stuck his hand into the ex-Bayern player’s shot and made another strong save (54′).
Osimhen had missed the third goal twice – then he was largely responsible for it, but did not score it himself. The 75 million euro man won the ball 25 meters in front of the opponent’s goal and immediately pointed it to Akgün, who was initially denied by Haikin, but made it 3-0 in the follow-up shot (60th).
The game was decided because “Gala” had Osimhen and Bodo/Glimt made bad mistakes almost every minute.
“Gala” without Gündogan, only Haikin prevents debacle
And Osimhen was far from finished – but neither was Haikin. After 66 minutes, the duel between the two went into the next round, the goalkeeper stopped the striker who was running freely towards him with his first shot and then saved the follow-up shot. The result was already clear – but how clear would it have been if Haikin hadn’t had a really good day?
Nevertheless, it was also a really good day for Galatasaray – even though it started with bad news. Coach Okan Buruk had to do without Ilkay Gündogan, who suffered a muscle injury in the final training session the day before. “That annoyed us a lot”said Buruk – the game must have been a consolation for him at least for the evening.
But his team couldn’t keep the zero like against Liverpool. In the 76th minute, Bodo/Glimt scored a consolation goal, Andreas Helmersen scored with a header from close range. Shortly before, Osimhen had received a standing ovation when he was substituted – without him not much happened in the “Gala” offensive.