Key decision: Galatasaray rest Victor Osimhen and Mario Lemina for Cup tie

Galatasaray will be without Victor Osimhen and Mario Lemina for Tuesday’s Turkish Cup meeting with Alanyaspor after both players were rested by the club.

The pair have not travelled with the squad for the fixture scheduled for 3 March at 17:00 GMT, as the Istanbul side manage their resources following a demanding run of matches.

Galatasaray face Alanyaspor for the second time in quick succession, having beaten them 3-1 in the league.

However, the Cup encounter comes at a time when the squad is stretched by injuries and workload concerns.

The decision to leave out Osimhen and Lemina reflects a cautious approach after last week’s Champions League victory in Turin, in which both were involved.

The Nigerian striker and the Gabonese midfielder will instead follow an active training programme designed to aid recovery and prepare them for upcoming fixtures.

Club officials have indicated that the focus is on ensuring both players remain fully fit during a critical stage of the campaign.

Osimhen had already missed the recent league match against Konyaspor before returning to score against Alanyaspor in their previous meeting.

His impact in that fixture underlined his importance to the team’s attacking threat.

Lemina, meanwhile, featured as a substitute in the same match, playing 24 minutes.

Their absence leaves Galatasaray with a reshaped squad for the Cup tie.

The coaching staff must balance competitiveness in the domestic competition with the need to maintain physical freshness across multiple fronts.

The choice to rest two senior figures highlights the intensity of the current schedule.

With league and European commitments ongoing, squad management has become a key consideration.

Galatasaray will aim to progress in the Turkish Cup despite the adjustments, while Osimhen and Lemina focus on readiness for the matches that lie ahead.