UEL: Osimhen out as Galatasaray faces AZ Alkmaar

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is set to miss Galatasaray’s UEFA Europa League Round of 16 playoffs first leg clash against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday due to suspension.

The Nigeria international, who has been in scintillating form since joining the Turkish giants on loan from Napoli, picked up his third yellow card of the season in their 2-1 loss to Ajax where he scored a late goal, ruling him out of the crucial encounter at the AFAS Stadion.

Osimhen has been prolific in the competition this term, netting five goals in six appearances, and sits just two goals behind the competition’s leading scorers. Overall, the striker has nine goals in 14 Europa League appearances.

The 25-year-old’s absence comes as a blow to Galatasaray, who dropped into the playoff zone after two draws and a defeat in their final group-stage matches, finishing 14th in the standings.

The forward has been instrumental to Galatasaray’s campaign this season with 17 goals and six assists in 23 appearances across all competitions.

Gala manager Okan Buruk will also be without Mauro Icardi, Yunus Akgun and Ismail Jakobs through injuries, while Davinson Sanchez and Lucas Torreira are suspended alongside Osimhen.

New signings Alvaro Morata and Carlos Cuesta are available for selection after being added to Galatasaray’s Europa League squad, but Ahmed Kutucu, Mario Lemina and Przemyslaw Frankowski were omitted.

The winners of the two-legged tie will face either Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16 next month.