Sports writers evaluate the Galatasaray-PAOK match: 'Osimhen tied the opponent in knots'

Galatasaray, representing our country in the UEFA Europa League this season, faced Greek side PAOK in front of its home crowd last night.

The yellow-red team defeated their opponent 3-1 with goals from Baba Rahman (O.G.), Yunus Akgün, and Mauro Icardi.

PAOK's only goal came from Konstantelias.

Sports writers evaluated the match that Galatasaray won 3-1.

Uğur Meleke: "The effort Osimhen put into a throw-in"

This is an event that will influence Galatasaray's story this season. Yesterday in Seyrantepe, the clock showed 28 minutes. Davinson, trying to build play from the back, sent a pass parallel to the right touchline toward Barış. Barış did not move because he was offside. While everyone thought the ball would easily remain with the PAOK player, an arrow shot from the left toward that area! That arrow's name was Osimhen. He bothered the defense and won the throw-in for Galatasaray. In the 61st minute, a similar situation occurred; this time it was a random ball cleared from the Galatasaray defense. Osimhen had no chance of getting it, but he followed it, bothered the center-back, and caused him to put it out for a throw-in again, the Nigerian did. So, leave aside the goal Osimhen scored yesterday, the assist he made, the positions he prepared, and so on. Even that extraordinary effort he spent to win a single throw-in will deeply affect Galatasaray's story this season. (HÜRRİYET)

Levent Tüzemen: "Osimhen tied the opponent in knots"

A special corner must be opened for Osimhen. The Nigerian star worked tremendously. He not only battled with his opponents but also applied pressure up front all by himself. With his runs, he often tied the PAOK defense and goalkeeper in knots. I credit the first goal to him. The goal he set up for Yunus was of the same quality as the assist he provided to Mertens in the derby. Sara received applause for his diligence. Yunus fought just as he did in the Fenerbahçe match, helped the defense, and scored the winning goal. Abdülkerim played without errors. Torreira was once again like an octopus in the midfield. I respect Barış Alper's effort, but he must also improve his game intelligence and make crosses with awareness and vision. Icardi also left his mark on the magnificent night by returning with a goal. (SABAH)

Bülent Timurlenk: "The scent of victory"

At Galatasaray's stadium, there is sometimes a wonderful scent—is it bergamot, is it wood, or perhaps neither? It is a scent that rises from the stands and the pitch, signaling that victory is coming. The stands are on their feet, the support is absolute, and the team, with its hungry and physical style of play, gives the fans the feeling that they will win today. It was clear that the fatigue from the derby would create a handicap in the second half. With Barış and Yunus falling short in the first half, it was a Buruk team that headed to the locker room thanks to a critical save by Günay, despite reaching double digits in attack numbers. In the second half, first Barış and then Yunus returned to the game. Osimhen was the man who shook the scoreboard with his header for the first goal and another exquisite assist after the derby. Of course, we must applaud Abdülkerim the most; he played wonderful football... A very good fight, a team that constantly stayed on its feet in a physical game, and a delightful finish with its master goalscorer Icardi... Congratulations Okan Buruk, congratulations Galatasaray. (SABAH)

Ali Gültiken: "This game has everything you could look for"

Galatasaray displayed the kind of game that needs to be played at these levels very effectively. There was tempo, pressure on the opponent, goal-scoring opportunities, intensity, and goals scored. Aware of the style of play required in European competitions, Galatasaray fulfilled the demands of football. With Sanchez and Abdülkerim in defense, they pushed the team forward and created significant pressure. They utilized both flanks very effectively with Yunus and Barış. In every cross into the penalty area, we saw Osimhen either looking for a position or taking a shot. Mertens, once again a great master, used the midfield effectively alongside Sara. He also made significant contributions in attack. Looking at the game as a whole, they produced opportunities to win even more comfortably. These levels do not tolerate many gaps. Your opponents can hurt you even with the few chances they find. PAOK, knowing Galatasaray's strength, played with a strategy based on effective defense and counter-attack opportunities. They managed to find a goal in one of these, causing Galatasaray some concern for a while. In fact, we have encountered such situations in Europe many times, and we continue to do so. While playing the game well in every aspect, we can sometimes get carried away and fall into defensive vulnerabilities. Galatasaray secured a very well-deserved victory. They were the sole masters of the game from start to finish. What needed to happen was for them to finish by winning. They sealed the victory with the signature of a master like Icardi. With Kerem's perfect assist, Icardi put the expected final touch on it. (SABAH)

Serkan Akcan: "Like a favorite"

Galatasaray showed its potential to meet expectations by playing like one of the favorites in the Europa League against PAOK. Yunus Akgün is the top candidate to be Galatasaray's biggest windfall this season. Since Kerem Aktürkoğlu's departure, Yunus, who took the jersey, continues to do great things. Following his key-opening performance in the Fenerbahçe derby, he played the role of the hammer that breaks the glass in case of danger perfectly against PAOK as well. Galatasaray dominated the match from the very first minute against the reigning champion and current leader of the Greek League. Muslera has been guarding the goal since the 2011-12 season, and Galatasaray has yet to find a goalkeeper with the potential to fill his shoes. When Günay Güvenç saved a one-on-one goal just before halftime yesterday, Galatasaray fans might have wondered 'what if,' but seeing his amateurishness on the goal, they may have concluded that it would be beneficial to wait a little longer. However, Günay is also 33 years old, and Galatasaray should seriously put planning for the post-Muslera era on its agenda. Although it was not credited to him because the opponent completed it, the Nigerian center-forward scored his goal with a header against PAOK. While not as aesthetic as the one he provided for Mertens in the derby, he made another wonderful assist to Yunus. He established great superiority over the opposing defense in every attack and created matchup problems. (FANATİK)

Osman Şenher: "The bar for football has been raised very high"

Even if Galatasaray wins, even if they win matches without playing good football, let's not forget this: with the quality players in the squad, they have raised the bar for football very high. You look at Barış Alper; it is impossible not to respect the football he plays and the effort he puts on the pitch. The kid paralyzed PAOK's left side, he literally beat their left-back. The attack ends, he drops into his own defense and cuts off attacks in at least four dangerous positions. The opponent starts an attack, and again, Barış Alper sets up a wall in the midfield this time. There is no one like Barış in Turkey. He contributes greatly to his team and makes a difference against the opponent. I will say the same things for Yunus Akgün. He is coming on strong. He is fighting extraordinarily. His feet are good, he scores and assists. This season, Barış and Yunus will be Okan Buruk's most important assets. Osimhen is the best forward in the world; he came on loan, but he has embraced the team so much that he fights as if he came from the youth academy. He gives such passes to his teammates that it is truly a huge transfer. Half of the goals the team scores this season will come from his assists. Torreira and Sara are improving as they go. Coach Okan should play these players by resting them. There is Berkan on the bench, there is Kerem. He should rotate them. Last night, both Torreira and Sara were very tired; this is visible to the eye. (MİLLİYET)

Ömer Üründül: "Günay made a huge contribution"

Last night, we watched a hard-fought 90-minute match. Galatasaray was the sole master of the game in the first half. They developed very effective attacks, but PAOK was applying a well-positioned zonal defense and was not allowing anything through on high balls. Despite this, there were many attacks close to scoring, and the teams went to the locker rooms with a draw. Galatasaray started the second half with a goal. However, shortly after the goal, control of the game shifted to PAOK. They began to attempt dangerous attacks one after another. Meanwhile, Okan Buruk absolutely needed to make a move, but he didn't, and eventually, they equalized the score. The difficulty level of the match had increased by then. The opponent had also gained morale. At that point, Okan Buruk was going to take all risks and switch to a double-striker formation with Icardi, and replace Mertens with Kerem Demirbay. That would have been a move that provided a serious advantage to the opponent. At that moment, Galatasaray scored a beautiful second goal in a very organized manner through Yunus Akgün. Naturally, Okan Buruk abandoned that substitution and brought Icardi on for Osimhen instead. In the final seconds, Icardi scored the goal that finished the match. The exciting match continued until the last minute. In the end, Galatasaray won a very important 3 points by playing well. The whole team fought with good intentions. I liked Jakobs very much. However, let us not overlook the fact that goalkeeper Günay also made a huge contribution to this victory. Because just as the first half was ending, PAOK found perhaps the clearest chance of the match, and Günay saved it with a successful reflex. (SABAH)