Galatasaray boss says Yılmaz can replace injured Osimhen for UCL tie
Victor Osimhen sustained a groin injury in Galatasaray’s Turkish Super Lig match against Istanbul Basaksehir on Friday, September 6, 2026, and will miss the UEFA Champions League clash against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, September 10. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, manager Rui Borges said Barış Alper Yılmaz can play in Osimhen’s role, adding, "Frankly, Osimhen is a different player and creates extraordinary things on the field," but "there is Yılmaz, who can play in that position."
This matters to Nigerian fans because Osimhen is a key attacker for both club and country; his absence could weaken Galatasaray’s Champions League hopes and raises concerns about his fitness ahead of future Super Eagles fixtures. Fans tracking his recovery will want to know how long he’ll be sidelined.
Galatasaray’s UCL match kicks off Wednesday night. Supporters should watch for lineup confirmation to see if Yılmaz starts, and follow official club channels for updates on Osimhen’s rehabilitation timeline. Borges also noted Rafael could operate on the wing, but stressed these are just assumptions.