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- Galatasaray have left Victor Osimhen out of their travelling squad for the first UEFA Champions League match
- The Turkish champions announced their squad to face Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany without their striker
- Osimhen sustained an ankle injury during the Super Eagles’ 1-0 FIFA World Cup qualifier win over Rwanda
Galatasaray have announced their travelling squad for the first match of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League season without their record signing.
The Turkish champions returned to the Champions League for the first time since the 2023/24 season when they crashed out of the competition in the group stage.
Source: Getty Images
It is their first time playing in the new format, which began last season and have been drawn against top oppositions, including Liverpool and Manchester City.
Galatasaray drops Victor Osimhen for UCL clash
Galatasaray will open their Champions League campaign for this season with a trip to Waldstadion to face Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday night.
Gala announced their travelling squad in an official statement and confirmed their star forward Victor Osimhen will not make the trip to the country where he began his career in Europe.
Galatasaray fans on social media became worried that their striker would miss the trip despite reports that he was nearing full fitness and could make the match.
Osimhen suffered an ankle injury while on international duty, during Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
He missed the second match against South Africa after refusing to fly with the team despite NFF’s request to be around and motivate his teammates.
The striker returned to Istanbul, where Galatasaray doctors assessed his injury and confirmed that he suffered a moderate sprain and bleeding of his ankle ligaments.
There was no stipulated time for his return to action, but multiple sources in the Turkish media claimed that he is targeting a return to action against Frankfurt.
He missed the Lions’ 2-0 win over Eyupspor at the weekend, after which Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk provided an update on his condition and could not ascertain his availability against Frankfurt.
“Osimhen’s condition will be determined within a few days. We’re hopeful he’ll play. We think he will, but of course, he’s in pain. We’ll see if he can tolerate that pain and play with it. We have a few days,” Buruk said.
Source: Getty Images
Osimhen’s absence means Galatasaray will have to rely on Argentine forward Mauro Icardi for goals, though he is working his way to full fitness after an ACL injury last year.
According to UEFA, both sides have only met twice in their history in the round of 32 of the 1992/93 UEFA Cup. The first leg in Germany ended 0-0, and Gala won the second leg 1-0 in Istanbul.
Galatasaray fans attack Rwandan defender
Legit.ng previously reported that Galatasaray fans attacked Rwandan defender Claude Niyomugabo, who injured Osimhen during international duty.
The Turkish fans targeted Niyomugabo on Instagram, but he received support from Rwandans and Fenerbahce fans who were spiting their rival.
Source: Legit.ng
