Victor Osimhen arrived in Istanbul last summer on loan from Napoli, and Galatasaray wasted little time making clear they intend to keep him. That intent was on display again on Friday evening, when the Nigerian striker opened the scoring in a six-goal pre-season friendly against French club Rennes — a match that swung wildly before ending 3-3.
It was Osimhen who drew first blood. In the 18th minute, Gabriel Sara picked him out and the striker finished to give Galatasaray the lead. The Turkish champions looked composed, but Rennes forward Esteban Lepaul had other ideas, pulling level before the break to send the sides in at 1-1.
Sara turned goalscorer himself early in the second half, restoring Galatasaray’s advantage and briefly suggesting the game was under control. It was not. Lepaul equalised again, then completed a hat-trick to put Rennes ahead — leaving Galatasaray staring at a third successive pre-season defeat.
They were rescued in the final minute by Baris Alper Yilmaz, who converted a penalty to level at 3-3 and spare the Turkish champions further embarrassment.
Head coach Okan Buruk spoke to GS TV after the final whistle. He was measured but positive. “I’m pleased with my players’ effort. They played the game like a real match. I was happy with the desire, concentration, and passion of the starting eleven,” he said. On the drop in intensity that followed the substitutions, Buruk was relaxed, describing it as a routine feature of pre-season management rather than any structural problem. “The tempo of the game can change from time to time with player substitutions. However, overall, I’m satisfied with the desire and effort of the players on the field. This will lead us to a more successful season,” he added.
Galatasaray now have one more pre-season fixture to navigate — a clash with Spanish side Villarreal on 8 August at Rams Park — before their title defence in the Turkish Süper Lig begins against Çorum on 14 August.
The club’s determination to hold on to Osimhen has already been tested in this transfer window. Galatasaray turned down an offer from Arsenal that included Viktor Gyökeres plus cash, signalling that the Nigerian forward remains central to their ambitions for the season ahead.