21.06.2025 10:01
In the match between Benfica and Auckland City in the FIFA Club World Cup, national player Orkun Kökçü, who was substituted in the 62nd minute, reacted strongly to the decision of head coach Bruno Lage. Orkun's reaction became one of the most talked-about events of the night.
Benfica faced Auckland in the FIFA Club World Cup. The Portuguese team managed to defeat the Australian team 6-0 in a match where Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Orkun Kökçü played in the starting eleven.
HE WENT CRAZY WHEN SUBSTITUTED
Meanwhile, Orkun Kökçü was substituted in the 61st minute of the match. National player Renato Sanches came on for him. One minute later, Kerem Aktürkoğlu was replaced by Schjelderup. The 24-year-old Orkun Kökçü reacted strongly to his coach Bruno Lage when he was taken off. Orkun's reaction marked the night.
BRUNO LAGE RESPONDED
The tension increased when national player Orkun's reaction was met with a response from coach Bruno Lage. The Portuguese coach was seen pointing his finger at Orkun.
"A ONE-OFF INCIDENT"
After the match, Bruno Lage commented on the situation, saying, "What I saw was the behavior of an athlete who has always been professional. This is a one-off incident. He has always shown very good behavior both on and off the field. There is a desire to help the team. I make the decisions I need to make, regardless of who it is. I have proven this multiple times. I look at the player's current situation and make my decisions calmly."
In a press conference, Lage elaborated on the argument he had with the Turkish player, stating, "The desire to win... Orkun Kökçü wanted to win and score more goals, but we decided that Renato needed to come on. Regardless of the players' forms, I make the decisions. In the previous match, we started with Renato, and Kökçü came on later and helped us. It was the same today. Everyone wanted to score more goals."
In response to the question, "Is Orkun Kökçü's action a case of indiscipline?" he replied, "What I saw was the behavior of an athlete who has always been professional. This is a one-off incident. He has always shown very good behavior both on and off the field. There is a desire to help the team. I make the decisions I need to make, regardless of who it is. I have proven this multiple times. I look at the player's current situation and make my decisions calmly."