Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk stated on Monday that his team would not limit itself to defending against FC Barcelona in the Champions League Matchday 2 fixture scheduled for Tuesday in Istanbul. The coach noted that the Turkish side would look to press, win back possession, and create scoring chances.
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“We won’t just defend; we will also attack,” Buruk said during the pre-match press conference. He added that his players must apply maximum pressure all over the pitch and show determination when the opposition has the ball. In the attacking phase, he called for composure and the retention of possession.
The coach acknowledged Barcelona’s quality, describing them as one of the teams in the best form—capable of scoring goals and bolstered by new signings. He also admitted that the Catalan side is considered the favorite by many, though he reiterated that Galatasaray’s goal is to win. “When we play at our best, we have achieved great things in this stadium,” he stated.
Buruk indicated that his team needs to capitalize on opportunities against an opponent that plays with a high defensive line. The manager maintained that, regardless of the chosen system, Galatasaray must be aggressive and aim to keep a clean sheet. “We also need to score goals,” he pointed out.
🗣️ Okan Buruk: Hangi Şampiyonlar Ligi maçına çıksak zor maç diyecektik ama rakip Barcelona olunca… Şu anda dünyanın en formda takımı. Gol sayısı çok yüksek, kazanan bir takım. Rakibimizin ne kadar iyi olduğunu biliyoruz. Transferleriyle çok güçlendiler. Rakibimizi biliyoruz. Bu… pic.twitter.com/039d4j4tGh
— FCN Blog (@fcnblog) October 12, 2026
The text reads, “Okan Buruk: No matter which Champions League match we were facing, we would have called it a tough game—but with Barcelona as the opponent… They are currently the team in the best form in the world. They score a lot of goals; they are a winning team. We know just how good our opponent is. They have strengthened significantly with their new signings. We know our opponent well. That is an advantage; it helps with our preparation.”
Regarding squad availability, the coach confirmed that Ivorian defender Wilfred Singo would be unavailable. He noted that the international players are the most fatigued, though he highlighted that the team had time to rest before the match. He also spoke about Barış Alper Yılmaz—who has played as a full-back—and praised his performance in that position.
The press conference also touched upon comments made by former Barcelona player İlkay Gündoğan, who expressed his frustration after failing to get playing time against Kasımpaşa. When asked if he was ready to face his former team, the midfielder replied: “I’m not going to play, so why should I be ready?”
Buruk downplayed the incident and defended the player’s reaction. “Players are human, not robots,” he maintained, noting that it is understandable to feel upset after warming up and not getting onto the pitch. The coach urged everyone not to attach too much importance to the player’s words.
Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira joined Buruk at the press conference and also highlighted the demanding nature of the match. “We are facing one of the best teams in the world. We have to put in our best performance,” he declared. He acknowledged that Barcelona can dominate through possession but insisted that Galatasaray would stick to its style of play.
#Portugal | Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly been provisionally suspended after leaving the national team’s training camp without authorization.
The 41-year-old could face a ban of up to six months, pending a final disciplinary decision.#CristianoRonaldo #Football… pic.twitter.com/NrnrZVwv8s— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 10, 2026
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