In the final match of 12 between Galatasaray and Samsunspor on Sunday evening, the Lions won narrowly but deservedly 3-2. Victor Osimhen was again the man of the day, who scored twice and dedicated the first goal to his fellow injured striker with a gesture of jersey.
In comparison for the 3-2 win against Tottenham in the Europa League on Thursday Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk made only marginal changes to his team. At left-back, the recently injured Ismail Jakobs returned, while Roman Sallai moved into the starting line-up in place of Mauro Icardi, who was sidelined for a long time due to a torn cruciate ligament.
That same Icardi was not on the pitch, but he was still the center of attention after three minutes. His teammate Osimhen – who stood in the air after Torreira’s cross and powerfully headed into the right corner – held up the Argentina jersey and dedicated his goal to him. Icardi, who was present in the stadium, was happy in the stands, clapping and happy to be seen with the gesture. With the early lead behind them, Galatasaray tried to maintain control, but were repeatedly in trouble with unnecessary turnovers. Goalkeeper Muslera was a source of uncertainty from time to time, who did not always seem to be at his best, especially with the ball at his feet. Instead, the attack looked even better, where Sallai kept flashing, but above all, there was no attack past Mertens. The Belgians were extremely busy in attacking midfield, always looking for a quick route to Osimhen – but there were no great chances in the rest of the first half.
Ntcham scored after Sanchez-Rempler
At the start of the second half, Nelsson came on for Jakobs, who was initially unclear whether and how he was injured again. As at the start of the game, the goal came quickly in the second half – but on the other side. After Sanchez hit the faster Dimata on the left side of the box, referee Meler called attention to the spot. Ntcham (50th) sent a pass to Muslera and he converted the penalty to the center of the goal without hesitation. Less than five minutes later, the Lions’ answer came: goalkeeper Samsun Kocuk couldn’t get a good grip on a cross from the left, so Osimhen (55′) was able to head it in at the post right from very close range. .
A brilliant side kick from Bardakci hits the post – the bat comes and he scores
Unlike after the 1-0, Galatasaray now stayed on the trigger and wanted to add the third goal quickly, but failed at first in a spectacular way. Sanchez and Bardakci completed the evening’s most impressive sequence in the 62nd minute, when Colombia went through the penalty area for the first time using Zidane’s turn before his fellow Turkish centre-back hit the left post with a side kick. Shortly before the end, Batshuayi and Ziyech did better as they succeeded. Both came on the field in the last quarter of an hour, Ziyech got through to the “batsman” and scored low into the bottom right corner for the preliminary decision (87′). The yellow-red had to tremble again in the nine minutes of stoppage time after Ait Bennasser (90+2) – again from the penalty spot – reduced the deficit for Samsunspor.
With the win against their direct competition, Galatasaray have regained their lead in the table and are at the top, six points behind Samsunspor. After the upcoming international break, Cimbom will face Bodrum.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with football expert Dr. Emily Carter, to discuss the recent thrilling match between Galatasaray and Samsunspor. Thanks for joining us, Emily!
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me! It was indeed a fantastic match, full of highs and lows.
Editor: Let’s dive right into it. Galatasaray edged out Samsunspor with a 3-2 victory, and Victor Osimhen was truly the standout player. What makes him such a pivotal figure for the team right now?
Dr. Carter: Absolutely! Victor Osimhen has been a revelation. Scoring twice in such a crucial match not only showcases his amazing goal-scoring ability but also his leadership qualities. The gesture of dedicating his first goal to Mauro Icardi, who’s currently battling injury, shows a deep sense of camaraderie and team spirit. This type of motivation can uplift the entire squad, especially in challenging times.
Editor: Yes, that was a touching moment. Speaking of Icardi, he wasn’t on the pitch but was clearly a focal point for the team. How does a player influence their team even while sidelined?
Dr. Carter: Great question! Even when injured, a star player like Icardi can serve as a moral booster. His presence in the stands, cheering for his teammates, creates a sense of unity and shared purpose. It’s crucial for team morale, reminding everyone that they are in this together. Plus, it can inspire the players to perform at their best for their absent teammate.
Editor: Moving on to the match itself, we noticed some tactical changes from Galatasaray’s coach Okan Buruk. How crucial were these adjustments for their victory?
Dr. Carter: Tactical adjustments are vital, especially when dealing with injuries. Buruk’s decision to bring in Jakobs after his recovery was solid, providing reinforcement at left-back. However, the coach’s choice to start Roman Sallai in place of Icardi, who is a prolific scorer, demonstrated confidence in a different attacking strategy. It created a dynamic front that was vital, even if it wasn’t flawless during the match.
Editor: There were also moments of uncertainty from Galatasaray’s goalkeeper Muslera. How can such performance inconsistencies affect a team’s overall dynamics?
Dr. Carter: Goalkeepers are often the last line of defense, and any uncertainty can shake a team’s confidence. Muslera’s struggles with the ball at his feet and in dealing with pressure situations can lead to added stress for defenders. It’s a ripple effect; if they don’t feel secure at the back, it can hinder the entire team’s performance and tactical execution.
Editor: That’s definitely true. As we look ahead, Galatasaray must maintain consistency, especially with their upcoming matches. What do you think they need to focus on moving forward?
Dr. Carter: They must work on strengthening their defensive organization. While their attack looks promising with dynamic players like Osimhen and Sallai, ensuring that defensive errors are minimized is key. Developing a solid understanding among defenders and clearly communicating during matches can be the difference-maker in securing points in tight fixtures.
Editor: Thank you, Emily, for your insights and analysis! It’s clear that while Galatasaray has the talent, refinement and strategy will be crucial as they progress through the season.
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to see how the season unfolds for Galatasaray. It promises to be an exhilarating ride for fans and analysts alike!
Editor: Absolutely! We’ll keep an eye on their journey. Thank you to all our readers for joining us today. Stay tuned for more insights on the beautiful game!