Sports columnists dissect Galatasaray’s dramatic night in Turin
Galatasaray’s 3-2 defeat against Juventus in the Champions League last‑16 play-off return leg was anything but a routine loss. Having crushed the Italian side 5-2 in Istanbul, the Turkish champions arrived in Turin with a three-goal cushion and the clear advantage. They still left the pitch beaten on the night, yet victorious on aggregate and qualified for the last 16. The way this script unfolded – numerical superiority, squandered momentum, extra time and a heroic response – became the focal point of Turkish sports writers.
Many commentators agreed on one central theme: Galatasaray advanced thanks above all to Victor Osimhen’s refusal to surrender, rather than any master plan from the bench.
“Osimhen rescued Galatasaray from a nightmare”
Serkan Akcan underlined that the turning point of the match came early in the second half. With Juventus reduced to ten men around the 49th minute, Galatasaray had an 11‑on‑10 advantage and, on paper, the perfect scenario. Instead of controlling the match, the visitors completely lost their grip.
Akcan stressed that from the moment the red card was shown, Galatasaray should have owned the ball, dictated tempo and suffocated Juventus. Instead, the momentum swung dramatically in favor of the Italians. Galatasaray finished the regular 90 minutes trailing 3-0, a result that wiped out the comfortable first‑leg cushion and forced the match into extra time.
In his view, this collapse was not about bad luck. He pointed the finger at coach Okan Buruk’s in‑game decisions and the team’s lack of collective discipline. Amid this chaos, one name stood out: Osimhen. According to Akcan, the Nigerian striker almost single‑handedly rebelled against both his coach’s mistakes and the selfish decisions of some teammates. He played with huge personality, kept demanding the ball and pushed the team forward when others appeared paralyzed.
For Akcan, the qualification ticket should not be pinned to Okan Buruk’s tactical genius. “This round is Osimhen’s gift,” he essentially argued – a direct message that Galatasaray survived not because of a flawless plan, but because their star forward refused to let the team die.
Confident start, nervous finish
Mustafa Çulcu drew a slightly broader tactical picture. He emphasized how well Galatasaray actually began the match, clearly influenced by the 5-2 win in the first leg. Bolstered by the scoreline and high self‑confidence, the Turkish side pressed intelligently from the front, with Osimhen orchestrating the high press and setting the tone for aggression without the ball.
Çulcu highlighted the performances of two key figures:
– Kenan Yıldız, who, despite playing for Juventus, left a strong impression with his energy and skill;
– Uğurcan, who delivered an excellent first half in goal for Galatasaray, helping to keep the tie under some kind of control when Juventus surged.
Yet, for all their early promise, Galatasaray failed repeatedly in one crucial aspect: the final pass. Their transitions looked dangerous until the last third, where poor decision‑making and inaccurate balls prevented the “expected goal” from ever materializing. These wasted opportunities would later prove costly.
When Juventus went down to ten men, logic suggested that Galatasaray should dominate, slow the tempo and let the clock work in their favor. Instead, Çulcu noted something remarkable: it was Galatasaray who panicked. The side with the numerical advantage played as if they were the ones chasing the game. Juventus, with nothing to lose, pushed forward relentlessly, took more risks and ultimately dragged the tie into extra time.
In the added period, the pattern changed again. Osimhen struck the crucial goal that effectively “pulled Okan Buruk off the hook,” as Çulcu put it. Barış Alper also played a decisive role in sealing the qualification, his impact in the closing stages underlining his growing importance in high‑pressure matches. Çulcu went so far as to say that every euro paid for Osimhen’s transfer is fully justified, “as pure and rightful as a mother’s milk” – a colorful way of branding the signing an absolute bargain considering what he delivered on such a night.
“Osimhen is Galatasaray’s beating heart”
Levent Tüzemen focused on the emotional and symbolic dimension of the victory. In his analysis, Torino became the stage for a nerve‑shredding drama. Hearts raced, blood pressure spiked, and yet, in the end, Galatasaray supporters had the right to celebrate.
At the center of this emotional roller coaster stood Osimhen, whom Tüzemen described as the very heart of Galatasaray. The Nigerian star remained on the pitch for the full 120 minutes, never accepting defeat and constantly pulling his teammates with him into the fight. His body language – protesting every lost duel, sprinting in the 119th minute as if it were the first, demanding passes and urging unity – symbolized a mentality that simply refused to break.
For Tüzemen, this match once again proved that Galatasaray’s identity in European nights is closely tied to characters like Osimhen: players who combine talent with an almost stubborn resilience. The team may wobble collectively, the tactics may not always be perfect, but such personalities can drag the club across the line even when the script turns dark.
Tactical confusion versus individual brilliance
Across the board, the writers converged on one criticism: Galatasaray did not manage their advantage intelligently. Being 11 vs 10 away from home should have meant calmer possession, smarter pressing triggers and controlled risk. Instead, Galatasaray often rushed forward in disjointed waves, leaving spaces for Juventus to exploit.
This contrast – tactical confusion versus individual brilliance – became the central paradox of the night. Okan Buruk’s substitutions and game management were questioned, particularly the inability to stabilize midfield and reduce chaos after the red card. While Juventus reorganized with a clear “all‑or‑nothing” approach, Galatasaray looked uncertain whether to sit back or push for another goal, and ended up doing neither convincingly.
Osimhen’s performance, in this context, was even more striking. He thrived not because the system supported him perfectly, but because he imposed himself despite the system’s flaws. His pressing, hold‑up play, diagonal runs and sheer willpower compensated for structural weaknesses that could have cost Galatasaray dearly.
What this night revealed about Galatasaray
Beyond celebrating qualification, the match in Turin raised deeper questions about Galatasaray’s readiness for the later stages of the Champions League:
1. Mental resilience under pressure
The team showed both sides of its psychological profile. On one hand, they crumbled mentally after gaining a numerical advantage, allowing fear to dictate their choices. On the other, they fought back in extra time, driven largely by senior figures who refused to accept elimination. This duality suggests that while the squad has strong characters, collective composure still needs work.
2. In‑game adaptability
The tie exposed limitations in reacting to changing scenarios. A red card for the opponent should be a tactical gift; instead, it became a source of confusion. To succeed deeper in the competition, Galatasaray must improve their ability to switch plans quickly – from fast transitions to controlled possession, from high press to mid‑block – without losing structure.
3. Dependence on key stars
All three columnists, directly or indirectly, underscored one reality: Galatasaray are heavily dependent on Osimhen. While every top team has leaders, overreliance on one player can be dangerous in a long tournament. The challenge now is to ensure that others – like Barış Alper, and the midfield creators – share more of the responsibility in decisive moments.
The rise of Barış Alper and Kenan Yıldız’s statement
The night also served as a showcase for two younger figures. For Galatasaray, Barış Alper’s contribution in extra time confirmed his reputation as a “big‑match” player. His energy, running behind the defense, and fearlessness in duels helped tilt the psychological momentum back toward the Turkish side. Writers noted that his impact went beyond statistics; he brought belief when nerves were fraying.
On the Juventus side, Kenan Yıldız delivered a performance that will linger in memory. Against a club from his home country, he displayed confidence, creativity and courage on the ball. Even though his team ultimately exited the competition, his display suggested that he is ready to take on more responsibility at both club and international level.
Goalkeeping, small details and thin margins
Uğurcan’s strong first half also attracted praise. At key moments, his interventions prevented Juventus from completely blowing the tie open early on. In knockout football, such saves often go unnoticed when the final scoreline is chaotic, but they shape the entire narrative. Without his composure in the first 45 minutes, Galatasaray might have entered the break in a far more precarious position.
The columnists repeatedly returned to the idea that ties at this level are decided by extremely fine margins: a mistimed press, a rushed final pass, a misplaced clearance. Galatasaray flirted with disaster by repeatedly getting those micro‑details wrong between the 50th and 90th minutes. The fact they still advanced should be seen as both a warning and a lesson.
Lessons for Okan Buruk and the road ahead
For Okan Buruk, the Turin drama is likely to become a reference point in his coaching career. On paper, he led his team to the Champions League last 16 – an undeniable success. Yet the tone of the commentary makes clear that he cannot simply celebrate and move on. Several lessons stand out:
– Numerical advantage must be converted into strategic advantage, not anxiety.
– Substitutions and shape changes need to calm the game, not add to the chaos.
– The team’s identity should not change drastically during pressure spells; consistency of principles is key.
If Buruk can absorb these criticisms and refine his approach, this turbulent qualification might become the foundation for a more mature, tactically stable Galatasaray in Europe.
A qualification to celebrate – and to analyze
In the end, all writers agreed on one thing: Galatasaray’s trip to Torino will be remembered. It had everything – goals, a red card, tactical twists, extra time and a star performance from Osimhen that bordered on heroic. The supporters were taken to the edge of despair before being allowed to celebrate a place among the continent’s elite sixteen clubs.
But this was not a simple success story. The night exposed weaknesses in game management, mental stability and overreliance on individual brilliance. As the Champions League journey continues, the team will need to transform these 120 minutes of chaos into a roadmap for improvement.
For now, though, one conclusion is hard to dispute: if Galatasaray are still alive in the competition, it is largely because their “beating heart” in attack refused to stop.