Galatasaray's Title Defence Stumbles in Opening Draw
Galatasaray’s title defence began with a jolt rather than a statement.
On a night that should have belonged to the champions, it was newly promoted Corum FK who came within minutes of stealing the headlines, before Victor Osimhen dragged his team back from the brink in a 2-2 draw in Istanbul.
Osimhen strikes, Corum answer back
The script looked familiar for the opening game of a new Turkish Super League season. Galatasaray, at home, in control, their star striker leading the way.
Osimhen finally broke Corum’s resistance in the 53rd minute, sweeping home the first goal of the 2026/27 campaign and giving the champions what felt like a platform for a routine win. He had already seen teammate Yunus Akgun’s earlier effort ruled out for offside; this one counted, and the stadium relaxed.
That calm didn’t last.
Corum FK, playing their first-ever match in the top flight, refused to play the role of respectful guests. They grew bolder, pushed higher, and suddenly the champions were wobbling. Alexandros Kyziridis levelled, Jesus Ramirez then stunned the home crowd with a second in quick succession, and the newly promoted side were briefly staring at one of the shocks of the early season.
From comfort to crisis in a matter of minutes.
TV100 highlighted how assured Corum looked as the clock ticked down, their debut turning from hopeful to historic. Galatasaray, usually so dominant on their own turf, were chasing shadows and chasing the game.
Osimhen rescues a point
When Galatasaray needed a response, Osimhen delivered again.
The Nigerian forward struck late to drag his team level, his second goal of the night salvaging a point and denying Corum a famous opening-day victory. It wasn’t the winner he or his coach would have wanted, but it underlined his status as the focal point of this title defence.
Two goals, one point, and a clear message: if Galatasaray are to stay on top this season, Osimhen will be central to it.
Buruk: “We’re not used to this”
Okan Buruk did not try to dress the result up as anything other than a disappointment.
Speaking after the game, the Galatasaray boss admitted his side fell short of their own standards, especially at home.
“We’re not 100% ready. No team is 100% ready, and neither are we,” he told GS TV, pointing to the disrupted rhythm of a campaign starting after a World Cup and the ongoing preparation period for his players. “But of course, we needed to get through this period by winning.”
The frustration was obvious.
“We’re disappointed, of course we are. We’re not used to this kind of thing. We’re used to winning, especially at home. We’ve always played that dominant game. Maybe there have been matches where we played worse and still won. We will do better, we will do it in time.”
His words captured the mood: not panic, but a sharp reminder that champions are judged differently.
Early warning, early encouragement
For Galatasaray, this was a stumble, not a collapse. The performance exposed rust, not a crisis of identity. Yet it also served as an early warning that newly promoted sides like Corum FK will not simply roll over for the established powers.
Corum’s fightback, their composure, and their ability to briefly lead inside the champions’ home ground offer real encouragement for the months ahead. They left without the win, but not without credibility.
Galatasaray now head on the road for their first away test of the season, against another debutant in the division, Erzurumspor. The champions travel knowing they cannot afford to ease their way into this campaign.
The season has started. The margin for error already feels thin.
