Frankfurt Boss Toppmöller Dismisses Osimhen’s Absence Ahead of Champions League Clash

Eintracht Frankfurt manager, Dino Toppmöller, has played down the impact of Victor Osimhen’s absence as his side prepares to face Galatasaray in Thursday’s UEFA Champions League tie at the Deutsche Bank Park.

Osimhen, who recently joined the Turkish giants, will miss the game after sustaining an ankle injury while on international duty with Nigeria against Rwanda in the World Cup qualifiers earlier this month.

Despite the striker’s reputation as one of Africa’s most lethal forwards, Toppmöller brushed off suggestions that Galatasaray would be weakened without him.

“Whether he plays or not is irrelevant to us. Both teams will have eleven top players on the pitch tomorrow,” the German coach told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

Opinion: A Bold Statement or Tactical Mind Game?

Toppmöller’s comments may sound dismissive, but they are rooted in pragmatism. No manager wants to be seen as preparing for just one player, no matter how influential he is. By downplaying Osimhen’s absence, the Frankfurt boss is keeping his team focused on the bigger picture—Galatasaray as a collective threat.

However, let’s not pretend Osimhen’s absence is insignificant. The Nigerian forward has the kind of presence that forces defenders into mistakes and tilts the balance of tight games. Galatasaray without Osimhen is, at least on paper, a less frightening opponent.

Still, football has a way of punishing complacency. By insisting Osimhen is “irrelevant,” Toppmöller risks igniting Galatasaray’s other attacking options to prove they can rise to the occasion. Sometimes, underestimating the loss of a star player can be just as dangerous as over-preparing for him.

In truth, the real test will be whether Frankfurt can impose themselves on the game regardless of who wears Galatasaray’s No. 9. And if Osimhen’s teammates step up in his absence, Toppmöller’s “irrelevance” comment may come back to haunt him.