Galatasaray’s 4-1 Embarrassment: Poor Tactics, Favoritism, and the Osimhen Effect

Galatasaray endured an embarrassing 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Dutch side Al-Akhimaz, exposing their tactical shortcomings, lack of creativity, and questionable squad decisions. Despite boasting some of the best players on the pitch, the Turkish giants played like a disjointed unit, failing to impose themselves in key moments. Here’s a breakdown of what went wrong and how Okan Buruk’s tactical approach contributed to this disaster.

Lack of Creativity and Midfield Disorganization

From the moment I started following the Turkish Süper Lig—precisely when Victor Osimhen joined Galatasaray on a full-season loan—it became evident that creativity was a major issue for this team. Even before the international break, signs of attacking stagnation were already present. Barış Alper Yılmaz and Yunus Akgün, despite their technical abilities, have often played with a frustrating level of selfishness. Though Alper has shown some improvement, he still lacks the ability to dictate play in the final third.

Dries Mertens, at nearly 40 years old, has been carrying the creative burden, but Galatasaray cannot afford to keep relying on a veteran to consistently unlock defenses. The most baffling decision, however, has been the misuse of Gabriel Sara, a highly skilled Brazilian midfielder with the vision and technical prowess to dictate the game. Instead of deploying him further up the pitch where he can create goal-scoring opportunities, Buruk has been fielding him in a deeper role where he constantly loses possession. Against Al-Akhimaz, Sara struggled under pressure, but had he been played further forward, his influence could have been game-changing.

Striker Isolation: The Osimhen Factor

A damning statistic from the match was Álvaro Morata managing just one shot on target throughout the entire game. For a top-tier striker, that is simply unacceptable. This lack of service further highlights how integral Osimhen is to the team. Unlike Morata, Osimhen thrives on half-chances, stretching defenses and creating opportunities out of nothing. His presence alone forces opposition backlines to stay on high alert.

For those who watched the match, Morata covered the most distance, yet his effort yielded nothing in terms of goal threat. This is where Osimhen’s dynamism stands out—his movement and relentless pressing create openings, even when the midfield is stagnant. Without him, Galatasaray looked clueless in attack.

Midfield Woes: A Glaring Squad Management Issue

Gabriel Sara was overwhelmed in midfield, struggling to cope as the lone orchestrator. Lucas Torreira’s suspension only worsened the situation, but the real question is: why has Galatasaray refused to register Mario Lemina? Lemina, who was arguably the best midfielder in the Premier League last season, could have provided the necessary steel in midfield. Instead, Okan Buruk chose to register Carlos Cuesta, a center-back, while continually giving Kâan Ayhan undeserved minutes.

This brings us to a major issue: nepotism in squad selection.

Nepotism: The Favoritism That Cost Gala

Buruk’s favoritism is evident in the decision to let Victor Nelsson leave for AS Roma while keeping Kâan Ayhan in the squad. If the coach was trying to restore Ayhan’s confidence after past mistakes, he should have done so in less critical fixtures—not in a high-stakes UEFA Europa League game. These questionable selections have cost Galatasaray dearly, and it’s time for Buruk to prioritize performance over sentiment.

Another major concern is goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. A club legend, no doubt, but , his reflexes are no longer what they used to be. Galatasaray needs to start phasing him out instead of allowing nostalgia to dictate crucial tactical decisions.

Tactical Adjustments: The Need for a Four-Man Defense

Galatasaray’s current setup isn’t working. A four-man defense is essential to bring balance and prevent defensive overloads. Additionally, the two-striker system needs to be reconsidered. Instead of deploying two forwards, the team would benefit more from a single-striker formation with proper midfield support.

My Ideal Galatasaray XI (Buchi Laba’s Tactical Setup)

Formation: 4-2-3-1

GK: Muslera

RB: Frankowski

CB: Davinson Sánchez

CB: Carlos Cuesta

LB: Bardakcı

CDM: Mario Lemina

CDM: Lucas Torreira

CAM: Gabriel Sara

RW: Yunus Akgün

LW: Barış Yılmaz

ST: Victor Osimhen

This setup ensures defensive solidity while allowing the midfield to function as a cohesive unit. Torreira and Lemina would provide balance, while Gabriel Sara takes on the role of chief playmaker, ensuring that the striker—whether Osimhen or Morata—gets sufficient service.

Conclusion

Galatasaray’s 4-1 defeat was a result of poor tactical decisions, squad mismanagement, and an evident lack of creativity. Okan Buruk needs to make serious adjustments if he wants to turn things around. The misuse of players like Gabriel Sara, the neglect of Mario Lemina, and the continued faith in underperformers like Kâan Ayhan are issues that need immediate addressing.

With Osimhen back in the lineup and a proper tactical approach, Galatasaray can still salvage their season. But if Buruk continues with his questionable selection policies, nights like the one against Al-Akhimaz may become the norm rather than the exception.