25.02.2026 00:52
Galatasaray's head coach Okan Buruk said about the upcoming second leg match against Juventus, "We need to be on the field as if we never played the first match. Of course, the score advantage is very important, and we need to think about that; however, we must not compromise our concentration and desire. Especially, the start of the match will be very important."
Galatasaray will face the Italian team Juventus tomorrow in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 playoff. Completing their preparations for the match, the yellow-reds traveled to Turin, where Head Coach Okan Buruk made statements at a press conference.
'WE NEED TO APPROACH WITH THE SAME PASSION' Buruk, who stated that the first match was incredible for them, said, "We achieved a very important score. But as I have said from the very beginning; we haven't won anything yet. We will play the second match, and we need to approach this match with the same excitement, the same passion. We need to be on the field as if we had never played the first match. Of course, the score advantage is very important, and we need to think about that; however, we must not compromise our concentration and desire. Especially, the start of the match will be very important. Our opponent will start the match very strongly to change the score and win the round. We will be playing against a very good team; they have important players and a significant head coach. The first match was very nice for us, but we cannot say we have advanced to the next round without playing this match. We will face a very important, very critical, and very difficult match. We know this very well together with my players," he expressed.
'WE WANT TO LEAVE THIS CITY HAPPY' The 52-year-old coach, recalling his playing career in Italy, said, "Of course, I played football in this country, like Victor. Especially in the 2000s, around 2003, I accumulated very important memories here during the strongest periods of Italian football and Serie A; both on and off the field. When we were matched with Juventus, on one hand, I knew how important our opponent was, and on the other hand, coming to Italy and playing against an Italian team had a special meaning for me. We played the first match and achieved a very important victory; now the second match is next. Here, we want to show the same game, the same desire, and hopefully leave this city happily. That is my only wish," he stated.
'OUR DESIRE IS TO SHOW OUR GAME' Okan Buruk emphasized that the advantage gained in Istanbul is important and valuable, saying: "We need to start the second match in the same way we started the first match, with the same desire and enthusiasm. Galatasaray has a style of play, and Galatasaray players have a way of understanding the game. We need to impose this on our opponent from the first minute. Because our opponent is a very good team, and we really need to play together against them. This match is a very important opportunity for them to get out of their current situation. They will try to present a very strong game to take advantage of this opportunity. Especially the beginning of the match is very critical for this reason. However, winning the first match does not change anything for us. Mentally, we will enter the field as if we have not won anything in terms of game discipline and tactics. We have no other thoughts on this. We already play both defense and attack in every match. Of course, our advantage is important and valuable; however, if you enter the field thinking about the advantage, you will struggle much more in such matches. Our desire is to show our game."
'OUR SELF-CONFIDENCE MUST BE HIGH' Buruk added that the yellow-red team is currently in a very good position in terms of performance and psychology, stating, "Actually, this is not just a one-year process; it is a situation that has been built up over time. Last year, we had a very important experience in the Europa League. There was a period when we started very well and things went very well; however, later we faced injuries, absences, and changes in momentum. I believe that right now, Galatasaray is in a very good place as a team, in terms of squad quality, player performance, and psychological state. One of the most important reasons for this is our trajectory and the result we achieved against Juventus in the first match of the Champions League. However, matches are very variable; the beginning, the continuation, and the result can be different. We experienced this very clearly in the first match. We will be playing against a very good team, and they have very good players. There is a beautiful stadium, an important atmosphere, and a significant head coach. Therefore, our self-confidence needs to be high; but at the same time, we must keep our feet on the ground. From the first minute of the match tomorrow, we need to present our best as a team. Otherwise, we will struggle regardless of the score advantage," he evaluated.