Galatasaray’s hopes now rest on Michy Batshuayi to fill the void left by Victor Osimhen, who is sidelined with a muscle injury sustained during the team’s hard-fought 3-2 victory over Sivasspor in the Turkish Super Lig.
The club announced the injury on Monday, confirming that no specific timeline has been set for the Nigerian striker’s return. Osimhen, who scored a crucial penalty in the match, has been pivotal in Galatasaray’s campaign, but his absence could pose a challenge as the team continues to lead the league.
Despite concerns, Galatasaray insider Eyüp Yıldız expressed confidence in Batshuayi during an interview with Habersarikirmizi.com. Yıldız believes the Belgian forward has what it takes to shoulder the attacking responsibilities.
“Osimhen is out for two weeks, but I trust Batshuayi. He will be effective when he plays as a classic centre forward and not as a link player,” Yıldız stated.
Highlighting Batshuayi’s strengths, he added, “Batshuayi is an effective name in the penalty area and around it. He also has aerial ball superiority. The only problem is that he misses a lot of goals, but Osimhen was missing too.”
The Belgian striker’s ability to dominate in and around the penalty box, combined with his knack for aerial duels, could prove invaluable for Galatasaray.
However, fans and analysts alike have pointed to his inconsistency in converting chances, a concern that mirrors some criticisms leveled at Osimhen earlier in the season.
With Batshuayi stepping up, the next two weeks will be crucial for Galatasaray as they navigate the absence of their talismanic striker and aim to maintain their stronghold at the top of the table. The spotlight is firmly on the Belgian forward to prove his worth in this critical phase.