Okan Buruk Blames Osimhen Injury as Liverpool Thrash Galatasaray to Reach Quarter-Finals

Okan Buruk has identified the injury to Victor Osimhen as the decisive turning point in Galatasaray’s heavy UEFA Champions League defeat to Liverpool FC.

Galatasaray entered the second leg of their Round of 16 tie holding a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Istanbul. However, their hopes of progression were emphatically ended as Liverpool delivered a dominant 4-0 victory at Anfield on Wednesday evening.

Buruk pointed to Osimhen’s injury as a key factor behind his side’s collapse, suggesting it had both tactical and psychological consequences.

“It was perhaps one of Liverpool’s best performances this season,” Buruk said. “The turning point for us, psychologically, was losing Osimhen to injury. Even in the first half, he was distracted by discomfort in his arm.

“His condition affected our transitions and our pressing. We started the match well and applied pressure, but after the first half Liverpool grew in confidence while ours dropped.”

The Galatasaray manager also voiced strong criticism of stand-in referee Paweł Raczkowski, who took charge after Szymon Marciniak was forced to withdraw due to injury during the pre-match warm-up.

“We were expecting one of the best referees in the world, but his replacement was among the worst we have encountered,” Buruk remarked.

Despite his frustration, Buruk acknowledged Liverpool’s superiority on the night.

“It was a match Liverpool fully deserved to win, and I congratulate them. They have qualified, and we were unable to execute our plans. Our performance was very poor, but I do not want to single out any individual.

“At 1-0 down at half-time, especially after our goalkeeper saved a penalty, we should have improved in the second half. Instead, we performed even worse.”

Buruk further highlighted the difficulty of playing away against such experienced opposition, noting the contrast between his side’s home and away displays in the competition.

“Liverpool have immense experience, and playing here is never easy. Our performances at home and away in the Champions League have been very different.”

Galatasaray’s night was compounded by another injury concern involving substitute Noa Lang, who suffered a serious hand injury late in the match after his thumb became trapped between advertising boards while attempting to keep the ball in play.

“Lang has gone to hospital,” Buruk confirmed. “He has an issue with his finger, and we will determine the extent of the injury and whether surgery is required.

“Osimhen also reported pain in his arm and requested to be substituted at half-time. He has gone to hospital as well.”