Victor Osimhen put Galatasaray ahead in the 18th minute, but the Turkish champions needed a stoppage-time penalty from Baris Alper Yilmaz to secure a 3-3 draw against Ligue 1 side Rennes in Friday's pre-season friendly. Head coach Okan Buruk, speaking to GS TV, declared himself satisfied with the determination shown by his starting lineup.
The match produced six goals, with Osimhen opening the scoring from a Gabriel Sara assist. Rennes forward Esteban Lepaul levelled before half-time to make it 1-1, but Sara turned scorer early in the second half to restore Galatasaray's lead. Lepaul responded with two more goals to complete a hat-trick and put the French side ahead, leaving the Turkish champions facing a third consecutive pre-season defeat until Yilmaz converted the last-minute penalty.
Buruk praises players' desire and concentration
Addressing the club's official television channel after the final whistle, Buruk highlighted the intensity his starting eleven brought to the contest. He praised their hunger and focus, noting that the team approached the game with a competitive edge that pleased him from the outset.
“I'm pleased with my players' effort. They played the game like a real match. I was happy with the desire, concentration, and passion of the starting eleven,” Buruk said. He also acknowledged that the pace naturally dipped when substitutes entered the pitch, but viewed this as a normal aspect of pre-season management rather than a cause for alarm.
“Of course, the tempo of the game can change from time to time with player substitutions. However, overall, I'm satisfied with the desire and effort of the players on the field. This will lead us to a more successful season,” he added.
Galatasaray's final pre-season test and season opener
The draw extends Galatasaray's preparation for the upcoming Turkish Süper Lig campaign, where they will defend their league title. The club has one more friendly scheduled before competitive action resumes, facing Spanish side Villarreal on August 8 at Rams Park. Their league campaign begins on August 14 with an away fixture against Corum.
Buruk's comments suggest he is prioritising the team's fighting spirit and unity as they build towards those matches. The late equaliser against Rennes demonstrated resilience that the coach believes will pay dividends in the season ahead.
Osimhen's future remains a talking point
Osimhen's involvement in the pre-season match further cements his importance to Galatasaray's plans. According to a recent Legit.ng report, the Turkish club rejected a player-plus-cash proposal from Arsenal that included Viktor Gyokeres, signalling their intent to keep the Nigerian international for the new campaign.
With Osimhen continuing to find the net in warm-up fixtures, Galatasaray supporters will be optimistic that their captain on the pitch can lead them to domestic and European success. The striker's early goal against Rennes was his latest contribution in a pre-season schedule designed to sharpen the team's attacking cohesion.
