Osimhen fails to score as Galatasaray secure second straight Champions League win
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineGalatasaray secured a second successive UEFA Champions League victory with a 2-0 win over VfB Stuttgart at Rams Park on Tuesday, despite a quiet performance from Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen.
While Osimhen failed to find the net after playing the full 90 minutes, 21-year-old Russian midfielder Aleksey Batrakov stole the spotlight with two first-half goals to hand the Turkish champions all three points.
The victory extended Galatasaray’s impressive run at Rams Park, where they have now lost just one of their past seven matches.
The hosts came into the encounter on the back of four consecutive victories in all competitions, including a 4-2 win over Lille that ended their six-match winless run in the Champions League.
However, Stuttgart threatened to take an early lead when Jamie Leweling’s effort inside the opening 10 minutes struck both posts before bouncing away.
Galatasaray responded with an intense attacking display and took the lead in the 12th minute when Batrakov pounced on a loose clearance from Jeff Chabot and fired into the roof of the net.
The midfielder doubled the advantage three minutes later, running onto a precise through-ball from Davinson Sanchez before slotting the ball between goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow’s legs.
Batrakov almost completed his hat-trick midway through the first half, but Bredlow denied him as Galatasaray continued to dominate.
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Osimhen also had opportunities to get on the scoresheet after the break but was unable to convert his attempts.
Stuttgart improved after the restart and pushed forward in search of a comeback, with Chris Fuhrich appearing to have reduced the deficit after curling the ball into the bottom corner.
However, the goal was disallowed after Deniz Undav was ruled offside in the build-up.
Galatasaray goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir also made important saves to keep Stuttgart at bay, including a late stop to deny substitute Dzenan Pejcinovic.
Despite Osimhen’s underwhelming display, former Besiktas midfielder Sinan Engin praised Batrakov and argued that the Nigerian striker’s presence created opportunities for the young midfielder.
“I think Batrakov will score 7-8 goals in the Champions League. He’s a good player; he deserves the praise,” Engin said.
“Today, Osimhen being mediocre on the field didn’t end up creating a negative impact, but he won with his presence on the field.
“If there was another player there, Batrakov couldn’t play this comfortably.”
The result moved Galatasaray into the Champions League League Phase’s top 24, while Stuttgart suffered their first defeat in the competition this season.
Stuttgart also became the first German side to lose away to Galatasaray since 1992.
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