Galatasaray sits top of the Süper Lig with three consecutive wins but faces a Champions League test against Sporting Lisbon without injured striker Victor Osimhen. Okan Buruk's team leads the league with 10 points, having scored 12 goals and conceded 6 for a +6 goal difference.
Victor Osimhen's injury creates a significant void in Galatasaray's attack. Manager Okan Buruk must handle this absence until the match against Trabzonspor. He is considering replacing Deniz Gül with Barış Alper Yılmaz in the striker role. Rafael Leao's experience as a central forward becomes valuable during this period. Gabriel Sara's effectiveness on set pieces was evident last week, though a summer injury prevented him from traveling to America. The squad lacks a direct replacement for Osimhen. Mehmet Arslan stated, "Victor Osimhen’s absence is just as frightening for Galatasaray."
Galatasaray's 3-2 victory over Başakşehir revealed ongoing defensive frailties. The center-back pairing of Abdülkerim Bardakcı and Davinson Sanchez is conceding goals more easily compared to previous seasons. These problems risk worsening against stronger opponents in European competitions. The midfield also lacks numerical depth and alternatives. Okan Buruk may want to increase rotation options in this area.
The Champions League fixture against Sporting Lisbon represents a major test for Galatasaray. The yellow-reds, leading the title race just 1 point ahead of Beşiktaş, aim to be competitive in Europe. Uğur Meleke said, "This team also gives hope for the Europa League." The team's next league match is at home against 11th-placed Rizespor on December 6, 2026.
In last week's derby, Beşiktaş defeated Fenerbahçe. Vincenzo Italiano's team maintained its 9-point lead at the top and secured a Europa League spot. The midfield trio of Salih, Orkun, and Olaitan is delivering the league's best performance. At Fenerbahçe, İsmail Kartal's player selections are under criticism. The departure of Anderson Talisca and a lack of creative midfielders beyond Marco Asensio are among the team's issues. N'Golo Kanté, despite being 35, stands out as the team's most dynamic player. You can review the current league standings on our page. Galatasaray's recent match statistics are available in our stats section.
