Osimhen suspended as Galatasaray face AZ Alkmaar

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will miss Galatasaray’s UEFA Europa League Round of 16 playoff first-leg clash against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday 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 in their 2-1 loss to Ajax, where he scored a late goal. As a result, he is ruled out of the crucial encounter at the AFAS Stadion.

Osimhen has been a key player in the competition, scoring five goals in six appearances, leaving him just two goals behind the tournament’s top scorer. In total, he has netted nine times in 14 Europa League matches.

His absence is a setback for Galatasaray, who slipped into the playoff round after a poor finish to the group stage, managing only two draws and a defeat in their final three matches.

The 25-year-old has been instrumental for Gala this season, contributing 17 goals and six assists in 23 appearances across all competitions.

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.

However, new signings Álvaro Morata and Carlos Cuesta are available for selection after being added to Galatasaray’s Europa League squad. Meanwhile, Ahmed Kutucu, Mario Lemina, and Przemyslaw Frankowski were left out.

The winner of the two-legged tie will advance to the last 16, where they will face either Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur next month.