Former Turkish international Tümer Metin has suggested that Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho should task Alexander Djiku with marking Victor Osimhen tightly in today’s Istanbul derby.
The Ghanaian defender is seen as the ideal candidate to neutralize the Galatasaray striker, who has been in prolific form since his loan move from Napoli.
Osimhen has scored 20 goals across all competitions this season, including four in his last five matches. Softfootball notes that Metin emphasized the need for relentless pressure on the Nigerian forward. He said:
If we get Osimhen from Galatasaray, he won’t be able to go to the goal right now. I will give Djiku to Osimhen and say ‘Wait on his back even when he goes to the edge of the pitch to drink water.
The stakes are high as league leaders Galatasaray hold a six-point advantage over their rivals. While Fenerbahce have struggled in recent head-to-head meetings, their improved form offers hope.
However, both sides face injury concerns; Galatasaray will miss Alvaro Morata and Mauro Icardi, while Fenerbahce hope to welcome back Djiku despite absences in their own defensive line. For Mourinho, implementing Metin’s strategy could be key to closing the gap at the top of the Super Lig.
