Okan Buruk's post-match fixture comments! 'We could have played on Sunday'

Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk spoke after the Hatayspor match.

Here are Okan Buruk's statements...

'It was the game we expected. Hatayspor waited in their own half and tried to transition. All their matches have been like this. The first goal, especially the high ball that came in, we should have cleared it to the side... We conceded a goal when there was no threat. For the second goal, we lost the ball while trying to create a chance, and we made wrong moves forward on the return. Hatayspor executed tactical fouls very well, and the referee didn't show cards to anyone. We could have tried tactical fouls in the game. We fell behind, we tried to create. We could have done better things. In the last 20 minutes, the opponent retreated deep into their own half. We could have been more productive.

We made attacking moves. We imagined creating many chances but couldn't. I congratulate Hatayspor. They had a plan and players suitable for it, and they implemented it. We had the ball from the beginning to the end of the match. The pitch was bad, not suitable for passing. We should have played the game faster. We could have created more. We played below our own quality.

There were penalty situations. These will be evaluated. We are sad because we lost. We congratulate the opponent. We will try to do better in the next matches. We are going through an intense tempo. It is difficult to win at this tempo. We are sad because we couldn't win.

Those who intensify the programs and determine the fixture are responsible. We are playing a very important match in Europe. We are playing 3 days later. There is a chance for it to be played on the 4th day and be scheduled for Sunday. We haven't talked about this at all, but the same thing happens after a match in the fixture. We are playing in the Champions League. We could have played this match on Sunday at an earlier time. We are in an intense fixture. We accept this. Our squad and quality are such that we will do our best. My wish was to win before the international break. During the international break, those who don't go to the national team have a chance to rest. Playing a match every 3 days is part of football. We have to accept this too. We prepared accordingly. We haven't made excuses about this until now, but inevitably, there is fatigue.'

News Source: 12punto