Former Turkey international Serhat Akın has criticised José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe for lacking a game-changing striker like Victor Osimhen, whose influence at Galatasaray is already reshaping the Istanbul football rivalry.
Akın pointed to Mourinho’s faltering start this season, highlighting the team’s failure to capitalise on numerical advantages in key matches. Despite playing with a two-player edge against Göztepe domestically and facing a ten-man Benfica in the Champions League qualifiers, Fenerbahçe could not find the winning goal.
“Fenerbahçe doesn’t have the man to solve the game,” Akın told Habersarikirmizi. “When opponents are down to 10 men, there’s no player capable of scoring. In contrast, Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen and Mauro Icardi create excitement and deliver results.”
Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray on a record transfer from Napoli this summer, ended last season on a high note with 37 goals and eight assists during his loan spell in Turkey. His firepower was instrumental in Galatasaray claiming both the league title and domestic cup, leaving Fenerbahçe to settle for runners-up.
Galatasaray has opened the new campaign with emphatic 3-0 victories, a stark contrast to Fenerbahçe’s struggle for a breakthrough. Osimhen’s return from injury saw him play a substitute role in their latest win against Fatih Karagümrük, while Mauro Icardi is regaining form after a lengthy absence.
Akın praised this attacking duo, saying, “Thanks to these players, Galatasaray secured comfortable wins. Their presence exposes the serious shortcomings Mourinho’s side must address.”
