Rigas FS manager Viktors Morozs attributed his team’s ability to secure a draw against Galatasaray in their Europa League clash to the absence of Victor Osimhen.
Galatasaray initially surged ahead with a 2-0 lead, courtesy of goals from Dries Mertens and Yunus Akgun.
However, they allowed the Latvian side to stage a comeback and share the spoils. Morozs acknowledged that this might not have been possible if Victor had been on the field.
In a post-match interview, Morozs expressed his thoughts on how the game would have unfolded differently with Osimhen in the lineup.”It would have been different if Osimhen had played,” he said as quoted by Haber Global.
He added, “He would have added strength to Galatasaray. Osimhen is a different player than Icardi. In my opinion, he could have passed our defence more easily. It would have been difficult to play against such a forward.
“His absence today was a deficiency for Galatasaray. Osimhen is a strong and dangerous player. It would have been difficult for us if he had played today.”
The 25-year-old Nigerian striker had made a strong impact by scoring twice to give Galatasaray a commanding lead against Kasimpasa. However, similar to the Rigas match, the team saw their lead evaporate, resulting in a 3-3 draw.
During the Kasimpasa match, Osimhen picked up an injury and was substituted at half-time. Galatasaray has since confirmed that the forward will be sidelined for a few weeks, which also rules him out of Nigeria’s AFCON qualifier double-header under coach Austin Eguavoen.
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