Beşiktaş icon Sinan Engin, who spent fifteen years with the Black Eagles during his playing career, believes Galatasaray are rarely at their best without their marquee centre-forward Victor Osimhen.

Manager Okan Buruk was unable to call on the Nigeria striker for his side's 3-2 victory over Genclerbirligi Ankara in the Turkish Super Lig at Rams Park on Saturday.

Osimhen was ruled out with the hamstring injury he sustained during the first half of Nigeria's unfortunate penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in last weekend’s 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying playoff.

In the absence of their record signing, the Turkish champions overcame a nervy first half to claim the win, with second half goals from Mauro Icardi, Baris Alper Yılmaz, and Ilkay Gündogan securing all three points.

Engin argued that Super Eagles forward Osimhen is key to Galatasaray’s attacking identity, emphasising the stark contrast between the team’s performance with and without him.

In quotes relayed by Turkish outlet habersarikirmizi.com, Engin said: "Galatasaray is never going to hold together without Osimhen.

"Without Osimhen, Galatasaray looks like a very normal team. Where are his, Liverpool’s, and Bodo’s matches?

"Galatasaray fans must have been in a pessimistic mood in the first half."

Besiktas' conflict with Portuguese midfielder Rafa Silva has intensified, with the Istanbul club preparing to take the matter to Fifa after the player repeatedly failed to attend training sessions.

Amid the controversy, Engin has highlighted the professionalism Osimhen has shown since arriving in Turkey.

"Osimhen is indispensable for Galatasaray. If Osimhen did what Rafa Silva did today, Galatasaray would lose the championship," Sengin added. 

"What Rafa Silva did was a huge disrespect. Osimhen is not like that. Rafa Silva should follow Osimhen's example."

Leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League with six goals, Osimhen is now in a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of Galatasaray’s clash with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on Tuesday.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel