Okan Buruk: We are playing matches back-to-back

Buruk began his remarks by celebrating International Women's Day on March 8. Stating that they played in a difficult away game, the manager of the yellow-reds said, "We knew it would be a difficult match, especially given Beşiktaş's rising form in recent weeks, the matches they have played, and their performance after the transfer window.

In the first half, there was a team that played as we expected, with us in possession of the ball, creating more chances, holding more of the ball, not letting the opponent reach our goal too often, and making the right transitions with the balls won through pressing in the front area. We finished the first half 1-0 ahead. There was a penalty situation for Barış in the 20th minute; as far as we could see, there was a stamp on his foot. Our opponent also had an objection regarding a red card in the first half.

The evaluation could have been different. Looking at the second half, we didn't start very well, but subsequently, I think there was an unfortunate red card for Sane in the period we played with 10 men. He stepped on his opponent's foot while trying to go for the ball. Was it unintentional or deliberate? This is, of course, something that can be evaluated, but we fought well in the remainder of the match where we were left with 10 men.

Even in the period we were left with 10 men, we pressed in the front area from time to time, found chances to transition, and had a few positions, but our opponent also took many shots at our goal. They took a lot of shots, especially from outside the penalty area. We fought well 11-10 to change the match, and at the end of the day, we are returning from here with a very important 3 points. I would like to thank my players first and foremost, and our fans who came here. They are always with us, they always support us. Now we will lift our heads and prepare well for the Liverpool match in 3 days," he said.

"There is a Galatasaray that plays these types of critical matches very well"

Reminding that they still have difficult away games in the league, the 52-year-old manager said, "We will still play against our rivals. We have away matches against our closest rival, we have a difficult away game. We will play against a very fit Başakşehir team next week. This fixture is not an easy one. But I always say this; there is a Galatasaray that plays these types of critical matches very well. We showed this today and knew how to win. That's why we gained an important advantage, but as I said, it is very early right now. A performance of just two matches can change your place in the standings in an instant. That's why we need to be careful. I mean, we haven't won anything yet. After our rivals play tomorrow, we might be able to clearly see how many points ahead we are at the end of this week. But as I said, we haven't won much; we have more important, very critical matches, but this will also psychologically prepare us positively for the Champions League match," he stated.

"We have been playing matches back-to-back since the beginning of January"

Emphasizing that it is important for both himself and the team to continue with players who feel they belong here and represent the jersey well, Okan Buruk said, "Transfer periods are already difficult; I gave the Beşiktaş example earlier. Beşiktaş actually made very big transfers in the final days of the transfer window and made significant progress on the way to becoming a good team. If this continuity continues by building on it the following year, it becomes much more important for the future of the teams. You both spend less money and achieve success in a shorter way, and really, a player who is accustomed to the team, players who know each other, of course, become very important in this area. We have made many changes in recent weeks. We are playing a lot of matches. We have been playing matches back-to-back since the beginning of January. We are currently in the round of 16 in the Champions League, we are the league leaders, and we continue our path in the cup as a seeded team in the quarterfinals. We are where we want to be; the biggest reason for this is, of course, my players," he expressed.

"I said 'let them play a little more', he showed a yellow card and I became suspended"

Stating that he became suspended due to the yellow card he received, Buruk said, "If we count the referee's stoppage time, it was about 45 minutes; at one point I thought the match would never end. I said 'let them play a little more', he showed me a yellow card and I became suspended. He showed a very funny, simple yellow card. I mean, in terms of communication today, especially with the fourth official, we couldn't establish a connection with either Sergen Hoca or our bench. I think it is very important that people who can establish this communication more effectively take place as fourth officials. We had a day where both sides were unhappy. When both sides come out here and speak, they will say they didn't like the referees; let me be the one to say it. Sergen Hoca will most likely say this too," he explained.

Stating that there was fatigue due to playing with fewer men but that they would not travel for the next match, the manager of the yellow-reds said, "Was there fatigue? Yes, but at least we are in Istanbul, we don't have travel, we have a chance to rest for two days. The concentration for the Champions League is very different, preparing for that match is very different. We will look at who we will start with, who we will play with, and the condition of our players. I have very good players who make me happy, and sometimes wear me down psychologically in my head; I have a large squad. I think a lot about which one to play, I think a lot about which one should enter the game, but the good side is that we are competing on three fronts and we will play a lot of matches here. All of my players are very important and valuable. I will use all of them in this process. That's why we will look at the physical condition of the players before the match," he assessed.

"I think we paid little for Uğurcan's transfer fee based on his current performance"

Stating that goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır went into the derby very motivated, Okan Buruk said, "He prepared extra for this match. Uğurcan's performance did not surprise me. I was expecting that performance before the match, but of course, we don't want to watch a match where the goalkeeper's performance is talked about too much. It is important for us that the opposing goalkeeper's performance is talked about more. Especially after being left 11 to 10, he made very important saves. He made our goal feel secure. Uğurcan is a good goalkeeper in terms of character, personality, as a player, and experience. I mean, sometimes the money you say might seem little or a lot. At the beginning of the season, when you wanted to buy a goalkeeper of this level from the Premier League, you had to pay at least 30 million Euros. Uğurcan is currently a goalkeeper at the Premier League level. That's why, when we look at the current situation, I think we paid little. I think Uğurcan's transfer fee is low based on his current performance," he stated.

News Source: 12punto