Victor Osimhen opened the scoring for Galatasaray but was forced off injured after 33 minutes against İstanbul Başakşehir in the Turkish Super Lig on Friday.
The Nigerian striker gave the visitors a dream start with a spectacular finish, taking his tally to six goals in the opening four league rounds.
The joy did not last. Minutes after finding the net, Osimhen appeared to pick up a knock and could not continue.
He was replaced by Barış Alper Yılmaz as the Galatasaray bench watched anxiously from the touchline.
The timing could hardly be worse for Okan Buruk's side. The Turkish champions travel to Portugal to face Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on September 9, and Osimhen's fitness is now the headline concern.
The Nigerian international has been the main attacking threat since making his move to Galatasaray permanent, carrying the outfit's domestic and European ambitions on his shoulders.
The immediate worry is the severity of the knock and whether the Super Eagles star can recover in time for the European assignment.
For a team juggling a demanding Champions League schedule, losing Osimhen for any meaningful stretch would be nothing short of a disaster.
How big is the Osimhen blow for Galatasaray?
The argument in Istanbul is whether Galatasaray can absorb an extended absence for the man who has carried their attack, or whether Buruk will need a Plan B against Sporting CP on the road.
- Club: Galatasaray
- Opponent: İstanbul Başakşehir (Turkish Super Lig, Friday)
- Scorer: Victor Osimhen (six goals in four league rounds this season)
- Substitution: Osimhen replaced by Barış Alper Yılmaz in the 33rd minute
- Next fixture: Galatasaray vs Sporting CP, UEFA Champions League, September 9 in Portugal
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Source: Africa Top Sports
