Following a heated derby against Fenerbahçe, Victor Osimhen has emphatically bounced back, putting any doubts about his fitness after a minor hamstring injury to rest.
The Nigerian striker started for Galatasaray in the emotionally charged “Intercontinental Derby” against arch-rivals Fenerbahçe, a clash that ended in a tense 1–1 draw at RAMS Park.
From the moment he stepped onto the pitch, Osimhen was at the heart of the action. During the pre-match warm-up, he confronted a Fenerbahçe player who had wandered into Galatasaray’s half, signaling that he was ready to fight for every inch on the field.
Once the match kicked off, the intensity escalated. Osimhen pressed relentlessly, challenged defenders in physical duels, and constantly moved to create opportunities—even in a tightly fought, tactical battle where clear-cut chances were scarce.
His efforts helped keep the visitors on edge throughout the 90 minutes.
Tempers flared several times, resulting in a flurry of bookings. Osimhen himself was cautioned in the 71st minute for unsportsmanlike conduct, but it did little to dampen his energetic display. Coach Okan Buruk opted to substitute the striker a minute before full-time, bringing on captain Mauro Icardi to inject fresh impetus.
Despite the draw, Galatasaray remain top of the Turkish Super Lig, narrowly ahead of Fenerbahçe by a single point after 14 rounds.
For Osimhen, the match was more than just a point on the league table—it was a statement.
Returning from injury, he proved that he is ready to dominate not only for his club but also as a key figure for Nigeria in upcoming international fixtures.
In one of Europe’s fiercest derbies, Osimhen reminded fans why he is one of the continent’s most feared strikers.
