21.10.2026 22:40
Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk evaluated Victor Osimhen's disallowed penalty incident after the Lille match. Stating that the decision was correct, Okan Buruk said, "Today there was a good referee and a good VAR referee. Today, the cancellation of our penalty was the correct decision."
Galatasaray defeated the French team Lille 4-2 away in the 3rd week of the UEFA Champions League. The yellow-reds' head coach Okan Buruk spoke after the match.
''THE CANCELLATION WAS THE RIGHT DECISION''
Stating that the decision on Victor Osimhen's disallowed penalty incident was correct, Okan Buruk said, "I will say it because you asked. There was a very bad referee and VAR referee in the Sporting match. Today there was a good referee and VAR referee. Today, the cancellation of our penalty was the right decision. However, in the Sporting match there was a penalty that should not have been awarded and a red card that was not shown. In a match where we played very well, we lost to Sporting due to a major refereeing error. Today, after it became 2-1, we reacted immediately."
''I AM HAPPY WITH SARA'S PERFORMANCE''
Evaluating Gabriel Sara's performance, Buruk said, "The ball will be at our feet; we knew this before the match. The Barcelona match was different. Lille is not a team that applies high pressure. I started with Sara, who has better foot quality. He did a good job when we had the ball, but this team defense is not only about Sara. The pressure starts from the front. Until the 60th minute, he tried to do the tasks we gave him. Of course, at 4-2 I wanted to bring on a defensive player. I am also happy with Gabriel Sara's performance."
''IT WAS A MORALE BOOST FOR US''
Answering the question "There were turning-point matches on the road to success over 4 seasons. You came back from 2-1 down and won 4-2. Can we evaluate it that way?", Okan Buruk said, "It is a very important victory in terms of timing. An away victory; last year we won 3-0 only in one away match, against Ajax. On the other hand, we will play a derby on Monday. This was also an important morale boost for us ahead of that."
''I THANK THEM''
Thanking his fans, the successful coach said, "I told my players, 'If we want to stay in the Champions League, this match is critical.' I congratulate them. Turkish fans were all over the stadium too; I want to thank them. They support us everywhere."