Galatasaray are preparing to bring Victor Osimhen back to competitive action in their upcoming domestic fixture, aiming to have the Nigerian forward ready for their Champions League clash against Barcelona.
The Turkish club plan to reintroduce the striker during their league match against Kasımpaşa. Turkish outlet Yenicag Gazetesi reported that the medical staff and management want a controlled comeback rather than throwing him straight back into heavy action.
The forward spent the recent international break in Lagos working on his rehabilitation. He had been ruled out of Nigeria's recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games, remaining away from the national team camp to focus on his physical recovery.
Doctors at Galatasaray explicitly advised Osimhen to skip the international window to avoid worsening his physical condition. Following that medical guidance, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle handed an international call-up to Taiwo Awoniyi to take Osimhen's place in the national squad.
Gradual return against Kasımpaşa
Galatasaray host Kasımpaşa at RAMS Park on Friday, October 9. While Osimhen is expected to be part of the matchday squad for the encounter, manager Okan Buruk does not plan to name him in the starting eleven.
The coaching staff instead plan to hand the Nigerian international roughly 30 minutes of action on the pitch. His exact playing time will depend on how the game unfolds on the night. The limited outing is intended to test his sharpness and physical response in a live match without placing excessive strain on his body.
The timing gives the attacker four full days of rest and recovery before Galatasaray face Barcelona in the Champions League at home on Tuesday, October 13. The technical crew consider that game a massive priority and want their main offensive threat available to feature against the Spanish giants.
For supporters in Nigeria and followers of Turkish football, Osimhen's fitness remains a major talking point. European nights carry huge financial and competitive weight for clubs like Galatasaray, and having an elite finisher on the pitch drastically alters their chances against continental heavyweights.
Details of the groin injury
The physical problem started during Galatasaray's 3-2 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir on September 4. Osimhen opened the scoring in that match with an impressive strike before feeling sharp discomfort in his right groin area.
He left the pitch in the 33rd minute of the first half after being unable to continue. Subsequent clinical scans and examinations showed an advanced-moderate strain accompanied by bleeding within his right adductor muscle group.
The diagnosis kept the 27-year-old out of several crucial fixtures. He missed Galatasaray's opening Champions League group stage fixture against Sporting CP, alongside domestic league matches against Kocaelispor and Trabzonspor.
The injury halted what had been a remarkable run of form in the early phase of the campaign. Osimhen registered six goals and provided two assists in just four Süper Lig appearances before the physical breakdown occurred.
Strikes of that quality had instantly turned him into the focal point of Galatasaray's attack, which made his absence a significant blow to the squad's offensive output across multiple competitions. Elite football schedules place severe physical demands on attacking players, especially those whose style relies heavily on explosive pace and regular physical duels with opposing central defenders.
Buruk's technical staff are aware of the risks involved in rushing a player back from adductor issues. Reinjuries in that area can lead to several months on the sidelines, which would hurt the Turkish side across both their domestic title chase and their European campaign.
The plan remains focused on executing the Friday cameo against Kasımpaşa safely so that Osimhen can build up his match rhythm without setback. Galatasaray then look to Tuesday, October 13, when they welcome Barcelona to RAMS Park.
