Former Sierra Leone international Michael Lahoud has questioned Galatasaray’s performance in the absence of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, describing the Turkish champions as “very ordinary” without their star forward.
Lahoud made the remarks after Galatasaray suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Trabzonspor in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday. The result marked Galatasaray’s first league defeat of the season and highlighted the team’s struggles without Osimhen.
“No Victor Osimhen. Without Victor Osimhen, this team looks very ordinary,” Lahoud said on the CBS Sports Golazo Network. He also expressed disappointment with what he described as a lack of intensity from Galatasaray during the match.
Trabzonspor dominated the encounter, with Mohamed Salah scoring a hat-trick and creating the assist for Noah Saviolo’s goal. Salah opened the scoring in the fourth minute before setting up Saviolo in the 39th. He added another goal before half-time and completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute.
Osimhen missed the match while recovering from a groin injury. Galatasaray previously confirmed that medical examinations showed a moderate-to-advanced strain in the Nigerian striker’s right adductor muscle, with his treatment continuing.
The Nigerian forward’s absence has become a significant talking point for Galatasaray, particularly after the club also suffered a 3-1 defeat to Sporting CP in its Champions League opener without him. The latest setback has intensified discussions about the team’s attacking options and reliance on Osimhen.
Lahoud’s comments are important because Osimhen has been one of Galatasaray’s leading attacking figures since joining the club, making his fitness a major issue for the Turkish side as it balances domestic and European commitments.
Galatasaray will now look to recover from the defeat while monitoring Osimhen’s rehabilitation. The striker’s eventual return could provide another attacking option as the club continues its campaign in Turkey and Europe.
