Former Turkish football referee Ahmet Çakar has defended Victor Osimhen following Galatasaray’s reported 4-1 defeat to Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, arguing that the striker’s recent return from injury and limited service contributed to his struggles.
Osimhen started the encounter at Rams Park and played the full 90 minutes but reportedly found it difficult to make an impact against Barcelona’s high defensive line, with several offside calls disrupting his attacking efforts.
His performance attracted criticism from some fans and pundits, prompting debate over his contribution to the match.
However, speaking on the Libero TV YouTube channel, Çakar backed the Nigerian forward, highlighting his quality while questioning the support he received from his teammates.
“Osimhen, you know, he could play for any team in the world, he’d be the top scorer in the Premier League,” Çakar said, according to Habersarikirmizi.
“I didn’t see anything like that in this match. I admit, he’s just recovered from injury, but what kind of performance did the team give him that he should play like that?”
Osimhen had reportedly enjoyed a strong start to the campaign before his injury, scoring six goals and providing two assists in four league appearances.
Following his return, the Super Eagles striker also registered an assist in Galatasaray’s 3-1 victory over Kasimpasa.
Çakar’s comments offer a different perspective on Osimhen’s performance, suggesting that his display should be considered alongside his recent fitness concerns and the service provided by his teammates.
