08.04.2026 18:00
Kocaelispor's head coach Selçuk İnan, preparing for the match against Galatasaray, spoke about the upcoming game, saying, "Galatasaray is perhaps the best team in the league, the strongest team. Playing and competing there is not easy at all. In these kinds of matches, Galatasaray is always the favorite, but we are aware of our own strength. We know what we are capable of."
Kocaelispor started preparations for the match against Galatasaray, which will be played away on Sunday, April 12, in the 29th week of the Trendyol Super League.
SELÇUK İNAN'S STATEMENT ON LUCESCU
Before the training at Körfez Brunga Facilities, head coach Selçuk İnan expressed his sadness over the passing of Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu to the press. İnan stated that Lucescu was a very special person that everyone should know, and he mentioned that he had spent very good times with him and had discussions.
İnan pointed out that they had been in constant contact until recently, saying, "He was one of the people who influenced me and whom I looked up to."
"GALATASARAY IS PERHAPS THE BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE"
Evaluating the upcoming match against Galatasaray, İnan stated, "Right now, Galatasaray is perhaps the best team in the league, the strongest team. Playing and competing there is not easy. In such matches, Galatasaray is always the favorite, but we are aware of our own strength. We know what we can do."
"WE WILL SHOW OUR FIGHT"
Selçuk İnan explained how they are working on the style of play they will adopt, saying, "We will evaluate all the shortcomings and strengths. We will go out and show our fight. In those matches, just fighting is not enough. You need to play well and compete well. You also need a bit of luck. Hopefully, these will happen."
"I WAS VERY SADDENED BY WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE GALATASARAY MATCH"
Regarding the different perspective of the Galatasaray community on this match due to the events that occurred after the match played in Kocaeli in the first half of the season, İnan noted the following when asked how this situation would affect the team:
"I was very saddened by what happened after the Galatasaray match, which were events that developed outside of me. Our president made a statement, but he already said that he was misunderstood. There was a song with insults after the match. Our fan leader stated that they were not aware of it. In such an environment - especially as someone who has spent a large part of my life at Galatasaray - anyone with a sound mind will clearly know that it is out of the question to do such a thing to Galatasaray. I was very saddened by the events that occurred after that match."
İnan expressed that they have not always been able to keep up with the events outside and have not been able to intervene, saying, "But afterwards, we certainly express our reaction. Therefore, this is always a sad thing for me, but as I said, these events among fans in Turkey have always happened. It seems that they will continue to happen. I wish there would be no insults or fights."
INJURED AND MISSING PLAYERS IN THE TEAM
Addressing the missing and injured players in the team, İnan stated, "Jovanovic has ended his season. There is an expectation that Botond may be ready for the last 1-2 matches. Haidara will start training with us today; it has been almost a month. If he has no physical deficiencies, he will be with us in the match. Bruno will start with the team today. Besides that, Muharrem has a problem. Muharrem seems to be out for about 4 weeks. Ahmet has a bit of a problem. Tayfur has a bit of a problem, but I think they will be with us for the Galatasaray match."