Key Highlights
- Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk wants to play against either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in the next round of Champions League.
- Buruk praised Galatasaray’s 5-2 victory over Juventus, calling it “a historic night for Turkish football.”
- The Turkish giants are leading the first leg with a commanding position heading into the second leg against Juventus.
So, you think this is new? Think again. Galatasaray’s boss Okan Buruk has explicitly named his two Premier League dreams for the Champions League round of 16: Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur. It’s a case of history repeating itself for the Istanbul-based club, which had already defeated both teams in previous seasons.
Historic Night in Istanbul
Buruk joined talkSPORT on Wednesday afternoon following Galatasaray’s stunning 5-2 victory over Juventus. The match was far from smooth at halftime, with Juventus leading 2-1. But a quick turnaround by Galatasaray saw them equalize and take control. Noa Lang’s goal in the 49th minute ignited RAMS Park, turning the game into an unforgettable spectacle for Turkish football.
The Team’s Performance
Galatasaray’s victory against Juventus wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Buruk emphasized that this night would go down in history: “It’s been a historic night for Galatasaray, the players and me personally.” He reminisced about his own time as a player, facing off against Juve as an Inter Milan rival. “And last night to win 5-2… after the first half it was 1-2, the second was 4-0 to us, it was an amazing result for the first game.”
Analysing Juventus
But there’s no time for celebration. Galatasaray must focus on their upcoming second leg against Juventus. “We analysed very well about the opposite team,” Buruk said. “The atmosphere of the stadium in Istanbul is a big experience.” He warned that resting on past victories would be detrimental: “You have to be there and feel the atmosphere—it affects our game, we are defending together, we are attacking together.”
The Next Match
With Juventus trailing 5-2 from the first leg, Galatasaray’s chances of progressing to the round of 16 look good. Buruk’s preference for facing either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur is clear: “I hope that we will pass this play-off and we will play against Tottenham or Liverpool.” He added a hint of uncertainty: “Last year, we played against Tottenham, we beat them 3-2, this year we played against Liverpool and we beat them 1-0. I don’t know which one will come but we have good memories against these two teams.”
Star Performer Osimhen
In the spotlight was Galatasaray’s star striker Osimhen, who scored three goals in the match. Buruk praised his all-round contribution: “He’s a team player, he’s not a striker just playing to score; he’s playing for his team.” He highlighted Osimhen’s versatility and impact on the game: “Last night three goals started with him…he can play all of the league and he’s a great person and player.”
As Galatasaray prepares for the second leg, it remains to be seen which Premier League giants they will face. But one thing is certain: Istanbul won’t rest on its laurels after such a historic performance against Juventus.
