Galatasaray boss Buruk begs UEFA to change Champions League rule for Victor Osimhen

Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk has appealed to UEFA to review a long-standing Champions League rule that could punish Victor Osimhen ahead of the club’s big clash with Liverpool, Soccernet.ng reports. 

Osimhen is currently walking a disciplinary tightrope before Tuesday’s game at RAMS Park.

The Super Eagles striker already has two yellow cards this season, which he picked up in earlier matches against Atletico Madrid and Juventus.

If the Nigerian forward receives another yellow card against Liverpool, he will automatically miss the return leg at Anfield next week.

That would be a huge blow for the Turkish champions. Osimhen is Galatasaray’s all-time highest-scoring foreign player in Champions League history and remains one of their most important attacking threats.

UEFA’s rules are clear. From the league phase onward, any player who collects three yellow cards, as long as they have not already received a red card, will serve a one-match suspension.

After that first suspension, every additional odd-numbered yellow card, such as the fifth or seventh, will also lead to another one-match ban.

Yellow cards are only wiped out at the end of the quarter-final stage, meaning they do not carry into the semi-finals.

However, Buruk believes the rule needs to be updated because the Champions League format has changed.

Buruk says Champions League expansion makes rule unfair

The Galatasaray manager pointed out that the current rule was created when teams played far fewer matches.

In the old format, clubs played only six games in the group stage before moving straight to the Round of 16.

Now, teams play eight matches in the league phase, and there is also an extra knockout round before the Round of 16. Buruk believes this means the rule should be adjusted.

“There could have been a reduction regarding yellow cards for 10 matches,” he said at the pre-match press conference.

“As it stands, yellow cards will be wiped clean in the semi-finals. UEFA absolutely needs to change this after the number of matches increases. Seven of our players are on the verge of suspension.

“The most difficult part for us is that four of our most frequently playing players in the same position in defense, our goalkeeper, and two attackers are on the verge. While playing this match in the best way possible, we will also do our best to avoid getting cards unnecessarily.”

Buruk added that managing players who are close to suspension has made team selection more complicated.

“We have a very strong squad. I'm having difficulty putting together the squad. I'm thinking about the players who are on the verge of receiving 7 yellow cards, how I can reduce the risk.”

Osimhen is not the only Galatasaray player facing this danger.

Goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır, defenders Ismail Jakobs, Davinson Sánchez, Abdülkerim Bardakcı and Roland Sallai, as well as forward Noa Lang, are all one yellow card away from suspension.

Buruk himself is also close to a touchline ban. If the coach receives a yellow card, he will not be allowed to lead the team from the sidelines in the return leg in England.

Liverpool also have suspension concerns. Conor Bradley and Curtis Jones are both one booking away from missing the second leg, while injured striker Alexander Isak will not play in the match.

Both teams have already met once in this season’s Champions League league phase. Galatasaray won that game 1-0 at home, with Osimhen scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot in the 16th minute.