Okan Buruk reveals the biggest disadvantage in the Liverpool match

Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk made important statements at the press conference held before the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 match against Liverpool. Defender Davinson Sanchez also attended the meeting to share his thoughts.

During the press conference, Buruk touched on many topics, from changes in the team to the current form of their opponent Liverpool and their own game systems. Reminding that new players have joined their squad during the mid-season break, Buruk stated that there was no major transfer activity at Liverpool. Buruk pointed out that they are facing a Liverpool side whose game philosophy has not changed much, but whose form graph has shifted.

Okan Buruk's statements are as follows:

'A lot of time has passed since the break, there are performance changes both in Liverpool and in us. We have new transfers, Liverpool does not. There are injuries. More or less the same game and system, the same players. They have players with form changes. Like Ekitike, he is more settled and effective compared to the beginning of the season. There is variability at right-back, it is their most changed position. It is a team we know. Most recently, our opponent is far from the championship in the league, their main goal is the Champions League. Our goal is to be successful in 3 competitions. The last league match had a positive effect on us. We will play the match 3 days after the derby. We played with 10 men for a long time. Since there is no travel, we have a recovery process. We are effective at home. The main task falls on us and the players.'

'OUR GOAL IN THE FIRST MATCH IS TO WIN'

'It is nice to be in the last 16 as a Turkish team, we want to go further. It is an important and valuable match for the country's coefficient. Our goal in the first match is to win. I hope we can succeed.'

'WE KNOW OUR OPPONENT WELL'

'Galatasaray has a game we play, we have a philosophy. We try to apply it to every opponent in every match. This is one of the things we do well. This game also gets the fans on their feet with a dominant performance at home. You have to push the opponent for an impact. Where you will meet them, where you will close down, these are important. Our opponent is high-quality and they are very high-quality in transition attacks. Their biggest feature is transitions. We know our opponent well. We know what their downsides are from the first match. I hope the luck of the match will also be with us. What you do as a team is more important than individual characteristics. An early goal is important. Our players are eager, we have reached this month, it is an important thing to continue in Europe in March. We came here, rather than saying it doesn't matter if we are here or not, we are a team that believes we can achieve this. I hope we will show it on the field. It is a 2-match process.'

'OUR BIGGEST DISADVANTAGE IS THAT 7 PLAYERS ARE ON THE VERGE OF SUSPENSION'

'Our biggest disadvantage is that 7 players are on the verge of suspension. Our defensive line and our goalkeeper are on the verge. It is a disadvantage for us. I hope we don't get a card here. We played 10 matches here, these cards should be wiped after a certain point. These cards will be wiped after the semi-finals, when we reach the semi-finals, I hope we do. It is also difficult to play with these cards. We will have to think about this for the second match.'

'OUR ONLY GOAL IS TO WIN AND GAIN AN ADVANTAGE BEFORE THE SECOND MATCH'

'Our first goal is to gain superiority. We know how good our opponent is. Even if they have ups and downs, they are a good team. Their chances of becoming champions in the league are almost impossible. Their goal is to win the Champions League. We want to advance in the Champions League and win the league and the cup. This will be our 11th Champions League match. Together with our players, we show how much effort we put in and how happy we are here. We play a match every 3 days. We have no excuses. We will try to do our best in our own stadium, together with our fans. We have important experience. Our only goal is to win and gain an advantage before the second match.'

'THIS IS DIFFICULT BUT WE MUST MANAGE IT IN THE BEST WAY'

'After playing 8 matches, it became 10 matches with the 2 play-off games. There could have been a reduction regarding these yellow cards after 10 matches. In the current view, the cards will be wiped in the semi-finals. This is very difficult for many players. As the number of matches increases, I think it is essential for UEFA to make a change. I think so. 7 of our players are of course on the verge. The most difficult thing for us is that our 4 players who play the most in the same position, in defense, our goalkeeper, and 2 of our attackers are on the verge. This is difficult, but we must manage it in the best way. While playing this match in the best way, we must be very careful not to get a simple card. We will play two matches. We have an important squad, but situations where players in the same position were suspended caused us trouble before. I hope this won't happen.'

'IF YOU ELIMINATE 3 MORE TEAMS, YOU ARE IN THE FINAL'

'They played here, they know us better. It was an important experience for them. They only lost to Galatasaray and PSV in the group stage. They will be more careful against us, but apart from everything, this is a Round of 16 match. If you eliminate 3 more teams, you are in the final. Looking at Liverpool's situation in the league, the Champions League is much more important for them. They will come here with a different mindset than the group matches.'

Davinson Sanchez, who spoke at the press conference, said the following:

'It will be a special Champions League match. The best clubs in Europe and the world are here. We are one of the best in the world. I have played in many such matches in my career. Liverpool makes the matches special as a club. The first match will be more closed. Who will take more risks...'

'It is a Champions League match. I want to help the team. I want to do my best for Galatasaray. We need to put all our experience on the table. I have played in these matches a lot, but I need to reflect the experience I gained from them onto the field and focus on the game. As a result of these, I will provide maximum help to the team.'

'WE WANT TO CONTINUE FOR GALATASARAY AND TURKEY'

'We came here to show ourselves. We also fought against teams that challenged and tested us. We want to continue for Galatasaray and Turkey. Turkish football has developed a lot. The fact that we played a match 2-3 days ago means nothing. Because this is the Champions League. We are in the biggest tournament in the world between clubs. We are fully focused on the match. We don't just want to create an advantage, we also want to improve ourselves. We can also improve ourselves at Anfield. This is what we want to do as a team, to be able to take a step forward.'

'Sometimes it is not easy to manage, but it is something you bring with the experience and the career you have with you, you learn to do it. It is important to help your club in every option, not just to be on the field. This job is not just about me. I am also very grateful to my coach and my teammates. I have tried to acquire the right habits throughout my career. These numbers in the Champions League are very good for my career. I am looking beyond that. Just being there and collecting minutes, being on the field without helping the team means nothing. The most important thing is that the team has that self-confidence.'

News Source: 12punto