As expected, Victor Osimhen made an immediate impact in the Turkish Super Lig, registering seven shots on goal in his debut for Galatasaray during Saturday’s 5-0 thrashing of Rizespor—setting a new season record for the most shots in a single Super Lig match.
After the disappointment of missing out on deadline-day moves to Chelsea and Al Ahly, the 25-year-old striker proved his resilience by making a bold statement in his first appearance for The Yellow-Reds. He provided an assist in the dominant Game Week 5 victory at RAMS Park, Istanbul, where Davinson Sánchez, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Gabriel Sara, Dries Mertens, and Baris Yılmaz all got on the scoresheet.
Head coach Okan Buruk wasted no time integrating Osimhen into the starting lineup, and the Nigerian forward immediately showcased his quality. His physicality and sharp movement posed a constant threat to the Rizespor defense throughout the match.
Osimhen came close to scoring in the first half with a powerful flicked header from a cross, but teammate Abdülkerim Bardakcı turned the goal-bound effort into an assist.
Beyond the assist, Osimhen delivered a commanding overall performance. He completed eight of the nine passes he attempted, with a 73% passing efficiency, two of which led to shooting opportunities for teammates.
Osimhen’s attacking intent was clear as he recorded one shot on target, two shots off target, and four blocked attempts. Despite Rizespor’s defensive efforts, he continued to press forward.
The former Lille striker was also dominant in duels, winning three out of four aerial battles and three out of four ground duels, underlining his versatility. He successfully completed all of his dribbling attempts, further demonstrating his technical skill and flair.
Although Osimhen missed one big chance to score, his debut performance highlighted his potential to be a key asset for Galatasaray. The reigning CAF Player of the Year showcased his strength, technical ability, and playmaking during his 90 minutes on the pitch.
With Galatasaray aiming to defend their league title, Osimhen’s impressive debut signals his capacity to lead the attack this season. Fans will now eagerly await his first goal in Turkish football as the season progresses.