Galatasaray race to make Victor Osimhen fit for Barcelona clash

Galatasaray are working against time to make striker Victor Osimhen available for their UEFA Champions League meeting with Barcelona on 13 October.

The Nigerian forward has been out for more than a month after suffering a thigh injury during Galatasaray’s match against Basaksehir on 4 September. The club have now confirmed that Osimhen has returned to part of team training.

Galatasaray face Barcelona in the second round of the first stage of the competition, with Osimhen’s fitness set to be a key concern as they prepare for the fixture.

The Turkish club are hoping to give their leading scorer some involvement in Friday’s league match against Kasımpasa. That game will provide Galatasaray with their final opportunity to assess Osimhen before the meeting with Barcelona.

Osimhen has scored six goals in the Turkish league this season. He is third in the scoring standings, behind Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, Trabzon’s leading scorer, and Gift Orban of Amed Sportif, who have both scored seven times.

Galatasaray are therefore aiming to build up Osimhen’s fitness gradually after his lengthy absence, while keeping open the possibility of including him against Barcelona.