Victor Osimhen’s absence was keenly felt on Thursday night as Galatasaray suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat at the hands of AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie. The Nigerian striker, who has been in stellar form this season, did not feature in the match due to a disciplinary issue, leaving his Turkish side without one of its most potent attacking threats.
The Dutch outfit wasted no time in asserting their dominance over the visitors. Tony Parrott opened the scoring early, setting the tone for what would become an emphatic victory. Jordy Clasie doubled AZ Alkmaar’s lead before halftime, while David Wolfe and Sven Mijnans added further goals in the second half to seal the result. Roland Sallai managed to pull one back for Galatasaray late in the game, but it was too little, too late to alter the outcome.
This setback leaves Galatasaray with a monumental task ahead in the return leg if they hope to overturn the deficit and secure progression into the group stages of the competition. Meanwhile, AZ Alkmaar will head into the second leg brimming with confidence after delivering such a commanding performance.
While Galatasaray stumbled in Holland, another Nigerian star shone brightly elsewhere in Europe. Bright Osayi-Samuel played a key role in Fenerbahçe’s resounding 3-0 triumph over Anderlecht in the same stage of the tournament. Starting the match, Osayi-Samuel showcased his versatility and skill until being substituted at halftime. His contribution helped lay the foundation for the Turkish giants’ dominant display.
Morocco international Youssef En-Nesyri led the charge offensively for Fenerbahçe, netting the opener just before halftime. Edin Džeko, the veteran striker, added a second shortly after the break, and Dusan Tadić completed the scoring with a clinical finish later in the match. This comprehensive win gives Fenerbahçe a significant advantage heading into the second leg against their Belgian opponents.
Elsewhere in the Europa League playoffs, Real Sociedad edged out Danish champions FC Midtjylland in a tightly contested encounter. Goals from Alexander Isak and Portu secured a 2-1 away victory for the Spanish side, keeping them firmly in control of the tie. Despite conceding a late goal, Real Sociedad’s solid defensive performance ensured they maintained the upper hand going into the reverse fixture.
Ajax also recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise, thanks to strikes from Steven Berghuis and Mohammed Kudus. The reigning Eredivisie champions dominated proceedings throughout the match, demonstrating why they remain among the favorites to advance deep into the competition.
In Portugal, FC Porto were held to a 1-1 draw by AS Roma in a fiercely competitive clash. Luís Díaz put Porto ahead early on, only for Nicolò Zaniolo to equalize for the Italian side. Both teams created numerous chances, but neither could find a decisive breakthrough, setting up an intriguing showdown in the second leg.
Other standout results from Thursday included FC Twente’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt. Goals from Mauro Junior and Ritsu Doan ensured the Dutch club took the initiative in their bid to reach the group stage. Similarly, Romanian champions FCSB defeated Greek outfit PAOK 2-1, with Razvan Marin and Vlad Chiriches finding the back of the net for the home team.
Hungarian giants Ferencváros claimed a narrow 1-0 win against Czech side Viktoria Plzeň. A single goal from Haris Medunjanin proved enough to separate the two teams, giving Ferencváros a slender advantage ahead of the second leg.
For Galatasaray, the road to redemption begins next week when they host AZ Alkmaar in Istanbul. With Victor Osimhen likely to be available for selection, there is hope that the Super Eagle can inspire a turnaround. However, overcoming a three-goal deficit will require nothing short of a miraculous performance from Fatih Terim’s men.
Fenerbahçe, meanwhile, will aim to build on their impressive victory against Anderlecht as they seek to secure their place in the group stages. Bright Osayi-Samuel and his teammates will look to maintain their momentum in front of their passionate home crowd.
As the Europa League playoffs continue to unfold, fans across Europe are treated to thrilling encounters filled with drama, excitement, and unpredictability. Whether it’s the quest for glory or simply survival, every match brings new stories and unforgettable moments. For now, all eyes turn toward the second legs, where fortunes will be decided and dreams either fulfilled or dashed.
