Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen will miss Galatasaray’s UEFA Europa League Round of 16 playoff first-leg clash against AZ Alkmaar today due to suspension.
The Nigerian forward, who has been in outstanding form since joining the Turkish club on loan from Napoli, received his third yellow card of the season during their 2-1 loss to Ajax, where he scored a late goal. As a result, he is ruled out of the crucial encounter at AFAS Stadion.
Osimhen has been prolific in the Europa League this season, netting five goals in six matches, placing him just two goals behind the competition’s top scorers. Across his Europa League career, he has registered nine goals in 14 appearances.
His absence is a significant setback for Galatasaray, who dropped into the playoff round after failing to win any of their last three group-stage matches, finishing 14th in the standings.
The 25-year-old has been a key player for the Turkish giants this season, contributing 17 goals and six assists in 23 matches across all competitions.
Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk will also be without Mauro Icardi, Yunus Akgun, and Ismail Jakobs due to injuries, while Davinson Sanchez and Lucas Torreira join Osimhen on the suspension list.
Meanwhile, new signings Alvaro Morata and Carlos Cuesta have been included in the squad, but Ahmed Kutucu, Mario Lemina, and Przemyslaw Frankowski were left out.
The winner of the two-legged tie will face either Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur in the Round of 16 next month.
