Milan Baros, one of the former players of Galatasaray, made a statement on the YouTube channel of the yellow-red club. The 44-year-old former Czech center forward’s confessions about Mauro Icardi and Fenerbahçe were on the agenda. Here are those explanations…
(How do you spend your time after your football career?)
Milan Baros: Actually, I am dealing with apartments in Prague. I rent flats. I especially care about my children. Both of my sons play football. I’m going to watch their matches. I take them to training. So I’m still in football, but not as a coach. As a father.
(What did you know about Turkish football and Galatasaray before joining the team?)
Milan Baros: Actually, I knew a few things. Because I played with the Turkish National Team a few times, in EURO 2008. We were leading 2-0 but lost 3-2. After that, I came to Galatasaray. Galatasaray players were playing there. So I had some knowledge. I knew it was a big club, with a big fan base and a big history. So I knew Galatasaray.
(In the summer of 2008, you were transferred to Galatasaray with your former teammate Harry Kewell. Did you talk before joining the team?)
Milan Baros: Yes, we were talking because we played together at Liverpool. And he signed a contract a month or two before me. I called him and asked how it was going. He also advised me on everything. He said, ‘Milan, come here, you will enjoy it very much.’ That’s what I did. I signed the contract.
(Do you remember the first goal you scored in Galatasaray?)
Milan Baros: I think it was Bellinzona or somewhere like that. We won 4-3. I scored 2 goals in that match. I don’t remember which was the first goal I scored, but I know I was in that match.
(Do you remember his first goal in the Super League?)
Milan Baros: Hmm, Kocaeli? Yes, two. I think I scored two goals against Kocaeli. It was a long time ago. Three days later, yes. I scored two goals in Bellinzona. Then I scored two more goals in Kocaeli.
(You became the top scorer in your first season at Galatasaray. How did you manage to become the league’s top scorer in your first season?)
Milan Baros: To be honest, we didn’t play well that season. Actually, we were in the middle of the league. But I was lucky to score goals at that time. It was probably because I felt so good since the beginning of my career at Galatasaray. I’m lucky in this regard. It was thanks to my good form, being healthy and being able to score goals. I scored 20 goals that season and I could have scored more. It was nice to be the top scorer that season. This is always important when you come to a new club. This is how you win the hearts of fans. They also start shouting your name and singing. That’s why it’s always important to get off to a good start at a new club. That’s what I did. We didn’t manage to play well in the league, but it was a pretty good season for me personally.
(As you know, Mauro Icardi had an unfortunate injury last season. You also suffered a similar injury late in your career. What are the difficulties of returning to the field after such an injury?)
Milan Baros: This is never easy. Especially if you are a football player and you are injured. It’s never easy. You have to be mentally strong and always have one goal: to get back on the field and start helping the team. Sometimes the way back is short, sometimes longer, but never easy. But when you come back you feel stronger, you want to show that you can still adapt and still score goals. That’s why I’m glad that Mauro is back, that he got through this difficult period for him and now he’s back. He’s scoring goals again, that’s the most important thing for him and it was the same for me at that time.
(You played with important forwards in your last season at Galatasaray, and there are important attacking players in the squad this season as well. How would you compare the two squads?)
Milan Baros: I think every team has different characteristics. At that time there were 4 or 5 strikers in our team. They always want to see strikers and big names in Türkiye. This is normal. I think Galatasaray has very good forwards right now. The whole team is very good. He has won the championship in the last few years. Now they are playing well in the Champions League, so the team is very strong at the moment. Yes, you can compare, but we had different names then and we have different names now. I think we had a good team, now Galatasaray has a good team.
(The away match against Fenerbahçe… You touched the ball cut by Selçuk İnan at the last minute and the ball hit the post. What went through your mind after you missed this opportunity?)
Milan Baros: Yes, I was really sad because scoring the winning goal in the last minute against Fenerbahçe was going to be one of the most important moments of my career. I know because this is a really big derby. I have played a few derbies throughout my career, such as Liverpool-Everton, Aston Villa-Birmingham, but this derby is different. It’s really competitive among the fans, the atmosphere is incredible. Yes, sometimes I see a video of that position on YouTube. I always say it’s very sad not to score. I can’t change this anymore. But of course it would have been perfect if we could have scored that goal and won the match.
(You were an important part of the championship in the 2011/12 season. We won the championship in Kadıköy. What would you like to say about that season and the championship match?)
Milan Baros: I think our fans couldn’t come to the stadium and we waited in the dressing room for two or three hours after the match. They gave us the cup, the lights were already turned off. Two or three hours later we went out onto the field to celebrate the championship. It was a little strange, but since it was Fenerbahçe’s stadium, we enjoyed it and celebrated it. I remember we went to the facilities by bus. There were many people on the roadside and they were celebrating the championship with us. That’s why I have really good memories of this match and winning the championship. It was my first championship in Türkiye. Especially we won in the last match at Fenerbahçe’s stadium. My feelings were incredible.
(When your name is mentioned, many Galatasaray fans remember the orange jersey. Which jersey did you like most when you played for Galatasaray?)
Milan Baros: I think all of them. It’s just a matter of rigging. I think all colors and models are really nice jerseys. If you have the Galatasaray crest in your heart, you will love it very much. In my house in the Czech Republic, I have the orange one in my room. So that’s probably the one I’m seeing the most right now.
(Who was the most talented player you played with in Galatasaray?)
Milan Baros: It’s hard to say, there were very good players, even defenders. Hakan Balta, then Selçuk İnan came. There was Fernando Muslera. There was Harry Kewell, I played with him in Liverpool. It’s hard to say… Lincoln was the key player for me. Because he assisted me in many of my goals. So it’s really hard to name just one. When I was playing, I had really good friends and very good players.
(Which was your best goal in your Galatasaray career?)
Milan Baros: I think the best, the one I remember the most; Ali Sami was on Yen, I fell to the ground and the ball was on my head. I sent the ball into the net with a overhead kick. It’s my most unforgettable goal. If I had scored a goal in that derby, in the last minute of the Fenerbahçe match, I would have been proud of that goal, but there was no goal. That’s why it’s probably the most memorable goal.
(Which is your most memorable match?)
Milan Baros: Probably the derby match we played against Beşiktaş. I scored a hat-trick in that match. So that’s probably the match I remember the most.
(What do yellow and red mean to you?)
Milan Baros: I had a really good time here. When I’m in Czechia there are always Turkish tourists. They always recognize me. So we chat a bit. I was walking in the city today and people in Istanbul were very kind to me. Galatasaray means a lot to me.
(You played in both stadiums, what would you like to say about our fans?)
Milan Baros: I’m really happy that I can play here. Thank you for everything. I really enjoyed playing here. I’m sad it’s over because now when I come here and see the stadium and the field, I always dream of scoring a goal and celebrating with the fans. This won’t happen again but all I want to say is thank you for the support they gave me.
(Can you compare the two stadiums?)
Milan Baros: Of course, there is more stadium atmosphere here. In the past, the stands were far away from the field, but the atmosphere there was also special. Both stadiums have their own uniqueness, but this is a new stadium and I think Galatasaray fans deserve this stadium.
(How did you feel during the Champions League match between Galatasaray and Liverpool?)
Milan Baros: I watched it on Czech television. Before the game, a few people asked me who I would support. I said it would be difficult. ‘A draw would be perfect,’ I said. I must say that Galatasaray played really well in that match. They put pressure on Liverpool everywhere. I must say that Galatasaray played better than Liverpool in that match. A great victory. I think they definitely deserved the win in that match.