Victor Osimhen cleared for Turin return after being left out of Konyaspor trip
victor osimhen was omitted from Galatasaray's matchday squad for Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Konyaspor, a decision framed as a precaution for the Champions League return leg in Turin — and manager Okan Buruk has since confirmed the striker is fit to play in the return fixture against Juventus.
Victor Osimhen fit for Turin return, Buruk says
Buruk told reporters that after the first leg in Istanbul the team rotated heavily and that "he had some knee pain, but he’s ready to play tomorrow, " citing a minor knee issue sustained in the Champions League tie. The coach pointed to the heavy midweek workload — a 5-2 first-leg victory over Juventus in which the forward caused persistent problems for the Bianconeri defence — as the reason for managing minutes in the Super Lig match that followed. Turkish media also said that victor osimhen worked separately in the gym while teammates trained after the trip, reinforcing the club's aim to protect him for the European fixture.
Rotation and fitness left Galatasaray blunt at Medaş Konya
Galatasaray's 10-match unbeaten run across all competitions ended at Medaş Konya Büyükşehir Stadium, where Adil Demirbağ struck in the 75th minute and Blaz Kramer added a second six minutes later to seal a 2-0 win for Konyaspor. Manager Okan Buruk made six changes from the team that beat Juventus, and with several regulars rested and Victor Osimhen left out as a precaution the side struggled to break down a compact Konyaspor defence throughout the 90 minutes.
Icardi withdrawn at half as Galatasaray falter
Mauro Icardi started as the lone striker but was substituted at halftime after a subdued first 45 minutes. The 32-year-old had cut training short before the trip with stiffness in his back and neck, and Buruk's decision to start him came more from necessity than confidence. With Osimhen unavailable and Icardi hampered by physical problems, Galatasaray produced few clear chances and looked short of sharpness when the match turned in the closing stages.
The omission also carries off-field headlines: the club's record summer signing arrived in a 75-million-euro move and is contracted through 2029, and Turkish media said the striker had not yet received his January and February salaries under a reported 21 million euros net annual package. Club staff framed the selection as routine fitness management amid a busy February schedule, prioritising European competition after the decisive Champions League performance in Istanbul.
Galatasaray now heads to Turin for the return leg with a three-goal deficit to overturn against Juventus; Buruk has confirmed victor osimhen is available for that match and reiterated the club's intent to use him as a central threat in the tie. The return leg in Turin is the immediate next fixture on the calendar, and the manager said the squad will prepare with Osimhen fit and ready to lead the attack.
