UEL: Osimhen's attitude issues - "If not me, than I don't care..."

Galatasaray weathered a fierce comeback from Elfsborg to secure a 4-3 win in their third UEFA Europa League League Phase game, stretching their unbeaten run to ten matches across all competitions (eight wins, two draws). What, at least in the meme-verse, overshadowed the match itself was Victor Osimhen's reaction after his teammate decided to score the fourth goal for the Turkish club and not pass the ball.

Elfsborg’s defense, which had conceded seven goals in their previous two matches, was under siege from the first whistle at Rams Park. Goalkeeper Isak Pettersson did his best to keep the Turkish side at bay, pulling off two excellent saves to deny Mauro Icardi in the opening ten minutes and following up with another crucial stop to parry Osimhen’s powerful header. However, Pettersson’s resistance was broken just before the 30-minute mark when Icardi capitalized on a rebound to score his sixth goal of the season, after Dries Mertens’ shot struck the woodwork.

Moments later, the unlucky Pettersson found himself on the wrong end of another Galatasaray attack, as Abdülkerim Bardakcı’s effort hit the post, rebounded off the keeper, and ended up in the back of the net. Barış Yılmaz compounded the visitors’ woes with a fierce left-footed strike, sending the Turkish champions into the half-time interval with a commanding three-goal lead.

However, Elfsborg mounted an unexpected resurgence in the second half. They started with a slick passing move that culminated in Niklas Hult tapping home from Simon Hedlund’s precise cutback. Shortly afterward, a VAR review determined that Yılmaz had handled the ball in the penalty area, giving Elfsborg the opportunity to close the gap. Michael Baidoo confidently converted the spot-kick, sending Günay Güvenç the wrong way and scoring his second consecutive European penalty.

A dramatic conclusion awaited the fans, with Yunus Akgün blasting a superb shot into the top corner, only for substitute Johan Larsson to respond instantly with a goal of his own, pulling Elfsborg back to within striking distance. Pay attention to Osimhen's reaction during Akgun's scoring - there could be some attitude issues with the Nigerian, and if that is the case - no wonder the whole transfer saga him leaving Napoli took as long as it did.

Michy Batshuayi seemed to have sealed the victory with a late goal, but it was ruled out for offside. Despite the nervy finish, Galatasaray managed to hold on, securing all three points to reach seven in total.

Meanwhile, Elfsborg, now sitting on just three points from three matches, face an uphill battle to advance, with challenging encounters against Athletic Club, Nice, and Tottenham Hotspur still ahead. Their hopes of progressing to the next round are fading fast.

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - ROUND 3

Wednesday

Braga - Bodo 1-1 (0-0)

/Niakate 64 - Evjen 53/

Galatasaray - Elfsborg 4-3 (3-0)

/Icardi 28, Pettersson 39 og, Yilmaz 44, Akgun 83 - Hult 53, Baidoo 65 pen, Larsson 90+2/

Thursday

19:45: (1.17) Eintr.Frankfurt (8.00) Rigas (14.0)

19:45: (3.05) Ferencvaros (3.35) Nice (2.35)

19:45: (4.80) Maccabi T.A. (3.50) Sociedad (1.78)

19:45: (2.20) Midtjylland (3.45) St.Gilloise (3.25)

19:45: (2.00) PAOK (3.50) Plzen (3.70)

19:45: (3.10) Qarabag (3.50) Ajax (2.25)

19:45: (1.62) Roma (3.80) Dynamo Kyiv (5.80)

22:00: (1.85) Anderlecht (3.50) Ludogorets (4.40)

22:00: (1.85) Ath.Bilbao (3.50) Slavia Praha (4.40)

22:00: (2.75) Fenerbahce (3.35) Man.Utd. (2.55)

22:00: (2.80) Malmo (3.30) Olympiakos (2.55)

22:00: (1.72) Olympique Lyon (3.70) Besiktas (5.00)

22:00: (1.62) Porto (3.90) Hoffenheim (5.60)

22:00: (1.50) Rangers (4.20) FCSB (6.75)

22:00: (1.45) Tottenham (4.50) AZ Alkmaar (7.00)

22:00: (2.75) Twente (3.30) Lazio (2.60)

***odds are subject to change***