Galatasaray Coach Okan Buruk said that they could not take advantage of many positions in the match they beat Istanbulspor 1-0.
Buruk made a statement at the press conference held after the Trendyol Super League 3rd week postponement match, where they beat Istanbulspor 1-0 at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.
Stating that they were in very comfortable positions throughout the match, Buruk said, “The first minute showed how the match would go. We went to the opponent’s goal very quickly and easily. We caught many goal positions. From the beginning to the end of the match, we considered them below our quality. We found very comfortable positions. Our offensive game today “If our finishing had been good, we could have achieved a different score.” he said.
Explaining that he could not make the planned changes because they could not increase the difference, the coach of the yellow-red team said, “If we had scored the second goal, we were planning to make changes earlier. We wanted to rest our players who played too much in a row. However, we could not make these changes because the match continued 1-0.” he said.
Okan Buruk stated that they had a winning streak in the league and said, “We got an important 3 points today. We continue on our way. We won five matches in a row. Our goal is to win the MKE Ankaragücü match at the weekend.” said.
“I RESPECT THEIR TRYING”
Okan Buruk said that he respected the behavior of his players in the penalty shot and missed by Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Mauro Icardi.
The experienced coach said about the penalty that could not be taken when the score was 0-0: “We talked about this before. They wanted to try this in a few matches last season. They tried it today. I respect their attempts. A direct kick could have been missed. My players took a responsibility. Mauro, more “He had organized such an organization before. There is no disrespect towards either the opponent or the game. This is something that can happen in football. Such attempts have been made before. The penalty was missed, but Mauro scored the goal afterwards and played a big role in Galatasaray’s 3 points.” made his assessment.
Stating that penalties may be missed, the 49-year-old coach said, “When I took possession of the ball, I thought Kerem would score the penalty. The goal would be missed, the penalty would also be missed. I stand by the decision made by my players here.” He expressed his opinion as follows.
“WE HAVE THREE BIG GOALS”
Galatasaray Coach Buruk said that their goals this season are to get out of the group in the UEFA Champions League and to win the championship in the Super League and the Turkish Cup.
Reminding that they continued their journey undefeated this season, Buruk continued his words as follows:
“We are continuing on our way by winning. We started the season very early. There are many players who joined our squad late after the transfer. While we are competing, we are preparing the players. We want to go through this process by winning. We captured last year’s championship with the highest score in recent years. We had a 14-game winning streak. We want to continue on our way by winning this season and catch such series. Galatasaray’s aim is to win every match. My desire and aim as a coach is to win every match. The dominant game displayed by Galatasaray is also very important. The support of our fans and the support in our stadium Our enthusiasm is rising. Our goals do not end. Last season we were to become champions and this season to enter the UEFA Champions League. Our current goal is to get out of the group in the Champions League, to become champions in the Super League and the Turkish Cup. We have three big goals. It is a great struggle. “We give our support and try to bring Galatasaray to better places.”
Okan Buruk explained that the love for Galatasaray has increased in the streets and said, “I see how much the love for Galatasaray has increased on the streets, in the stands and at the airports. This makes me happy as a coach. Our goal is to make our fans happy and to make them walk out with their hearts out. With my team, for them “We will do more. Don’t worry. We have a line that goes up every day. We didn’t have many players today, but our desire and concentration on the field was good.” he said.
“WE GENERALLY EXPERIENCE GROUND PROBLEM IN OUR STADIUMS”
Buruk stated that there is a general ground problem in the stadiums in Turkey.
Mentioning that extreme heat affects the grounds, Buruk said about the ground of the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, which was painted green: “I watched the Fatih Karagümrük match last week. I saw that the ground was not good and I had fears. It was not a very good ground. In general, we experience ground problems in our stadiums. Extreme heat makes the grounds different. “This place was like a carpet when the Champions League final was played. Today, it is far behind what it was at that time. Our players are either happy or dissatisfied with it. We are bringing in very important and good players, but we are having problems with the ground. I hope we can tidy up the ground.” he said.
“ICARDI IS A VERY IMPORTANT PLAYER FOR US”
Buruk stated that Mauro Icardi, who scored goals in the last 13 Super League matches in which he started in the first 11, is a very important football player for them.
Stating that Icardi is a very popular football player in Turkey, the coach of the yellow-red team said:
“Icardi is a very important player for us. He has become a very important brand value for Turkish football. He has become an idol for Turkey. He is a person loved by children and everyone from seven to seventy. I think he is a very important contribution to Turkish football with his humanity and energy, as well as his acting.” “The goals he scores and his contribution to the team are great. He is the player closest to the goal according to the position he plays. He always does his part. He carries the team with his goals and assists and contributes to the team’s defense. We are very happy to be with him.” he said.
REACTION TO TFF SUPER CUP PLANNING
Galatasaray Coach Okan Buruk said that he was not keen on the TFF Super Cup match being played in Saudi Arabia or Abu Dhabi on December 30.
Buruk evaluated the statement of Turkish Football Federation President Mehmet Büyükekşi regarding the match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe.
Regarding the TFF Super Cup match planned to be held on December 30, the experienced coach said, “We were thinking of taking a vacation on that date. We will have an incredibly busy period. I do not think a match will be played on that date. The 3-4 days of leave we can give for the two teams playing in Europe will be eliminated.” “It is not a date that I am looking forward to and that the players will be happy with. We need to rest our players. I do not think this date is right. If it is going to be outside Turkey, it will have to come and go. The whole season will be very busy anyway. Halftime would be a good time to take a breath.” He concluded his words by saying.