Galatasaray Rest Osimhen For Alanyaspor Cup Clash As Fixture Pressure Builds

Galatasaray have omitted Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen from Tuesday’s Turkish Cup meeting with Alanyaspor, with the club saying key players are being given active rest during a crowded run of fixtures.

The Istanbul side have already secured qualification and now want to finish Group A with four wins from four in the Ziraat Turkish Cup. Even so, the coaching staff decided not to include Osimhen for this tie as they juggle commitments in the Süper Lig and the UEFA Champions League knockout stage.

The decision comes only days after Osimhen played a central role in Galatasaray’s 3-1 league victory over Alanyaspor, where he scored once and also provided an assist. With that match still fresh, the club moved to protect several regular starters ahead of a stretch that could define their season.

Galatasaray are scheduled to play six matches in 19 days, including a two-legged Champions League round of 16 contest against Liverpool. At home, they are also pushing for a fourth straight Süper Lig title, with pressure expected to rise as rivals look for points dropped in the coming weeks.

Their next domestic assignment after the cup game is an away derby against Beşiktaş, a result that could reshape the title race if Galatasaray stumble. Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor remain close enough to take advantage of any slip.

Osimhen, speaking through the club’s official channels after Saturday’s win, urged the squad to stay concentrated as the calendar tightens. He said every game now carries heavy weight in both domestic and European competitions, and warned that focus will be crucial from one match to the next.

“The Beşiktaş match is a critical one,” Osimhen said, while stressing that Galatasaray must handle each fixture in sequence, starting with the cup outing before attention turns to league and Champions League tests.

Galatasaray then host Liverpool in a high-stakes European encounter before travelling to Anfield for the return leg.