Osimhen’s omission and Icardi’s tension change the race for the Süper Lig title & more related news here

Galatasaray’s 2-0 defeat to Konyaspor on Saturday did more than end a 10-match unbeaten run in all competitions, but it sparked a wave of speculation about two of the club’s biggest stars at a time when the title race and Champions League campaign are reaching a critical stage.

At the Medaş Konya Büyükşehir Stadium, Adil Demirbağ scored in the 75th minute before Blaz Kramer added the second six minutes later and the result not only tightened the Süper Lig qualification but also renewed Fenerbahçe’s confidence that the summit is within reach.

The score itself was damaging, but the bigger story unfolded off the pitch once fans realized that Victor Osimhen hadn’t even been included in the matchday squad and that Mauro Icardi started but couldn’t complete the first half.

The absence of Osimhen, who arrived last summer in a €75 million ($88 million) deal that shattered Turkish transfer records and committed him to the club until 2029, immediately raised eyebrows because he had been sensational just days earlier in a 5-2 Champions League victory over Juventus in Istanbul, delivering one of the most impressive individual performances of the season.

Officially, Galatasaray classified his withdrawal as a precaution due to discomfort in his right knee.

However, the fuller account reveals that the striker personally informed coach Okan Buruk that he was feeling pain and did not want to risk aggravating it before the decisive second leg in Turin. This conversation ultimately shaped the selection decision.

Turkish media reported that Osimhen had not yet received his January and February salaries, despite a net annual package of €21 million.

The delay raised questions about morale, even as the coaching staff emphasized it was a routine precaution during a busy schedule in February.

While his teammates trained outdoors the next day, Osimhen worked individually in the gym, underscoring the club’s priority of preserving its most decisive attacking weapon for Europe rather than betting on a domestic match that, in retrospect, turned out to be more costly than anticipated.

Icardi’s situation was different but equally problematic, because the 32-year-old Argentine, who has been central to Galatasaray’s offensive identity since 2022, had battled stiffness in his back and neck during the last training session before the trip to Konya, forcing him to shorten that session and casting doubt on his preparation.

With Osimhen unavailable and limited alternatives in the team, Buruk opted to field Icardi as the sole striker, a decision born more out of necessity than confidence and from the opening whistle, it became evident that his movements lacked his usual sharpness as he found it difficult to press, link play or threaten from behind.

Galatasaray arrived at half-time with the score still goalless but with little attacking momentum and Buruk decided to withdraw Icardi after 45 moderate minutes, a move that generated rapid criticism from commentators who were unaware of the physical context surrounding his team.

Without their two main goal threats at full capacity, the league leaders looked forceful and predictable in the final third and once Konyaspor sensed vulnerability, they capitalized with clinical efficiency in the closing stages.

The defeat, therefore, owed less to unrest or locker room rebellion than to timing, physical handling and the tension of balancing domestic dominance with European ambition, as a team built around high-profile internationals and heavyweight contracts navigates the physical and financial pressures of a decisive leg.

Galatasaray remain in control of their destiny, but the episode has highlighted how fine their margin for error has become, because when Osimhen is offside and Icardi is not fully fit, the attacking structure that has fueled their season can quickly lose its edge.