Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi is relishing his partnership with Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, following the injury of Mauro Icardi, Soccernet.ng reports.
Batshuayi and Osimhen played 45 minutes together for the first time since both of them joined Galatasaray in the summer.
Recall that this season, Galatasaray’s usual forward partnership has been Argentinean striker Mauro Icardi and Osimhen. But unfortunately, Icardi suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury just before the international break, and that effectively ruled him out of the campaign.
Going into Galatasaray’s game against Bodrumspor on Saturday, coach Orkan Buruk played Osimhen as a striker, with Dries Mertens just behind him.
However, Buruk had to make a halftime substitution after Metehan Baltaci suffered an injury. Batshuayi was introduced in his stead, pairing up with Osimhen in the two-pronged attack. Then, Mertens had to start operating deeply, playing more from midfield.
Eventually, Batshuayi scored in the 54th minute, and his goal was just enough to secure all three points for the reigning Super Lig champions.
Against Bodrumspor, Galatasaray lacked their usual synergy, and that was due to the changes that coach Buruk made to his setup. Nonetheless, after the game, Batshuayi expressed his readiness to pair up with Osimhen in the final third, as he believes that they complement each other.
“I can play as a single forward or a double forward. Victor is good at aerial balls because he is tall. He also makes deep runs, while I am good technically on my side,” Batshuayi said.
Although Galatasaray have many decent attackers, coach Buruk has to find an appropriate balance to ensure the team does not sacrifice defensive stability for attacking prowess.