Transfer call to management from Okan Buruk

In the 23rd week of the Trendyol Süper Lig, Galatasaray defeated Gaziantep FK 2-1 at home. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk said, "It was the game I expected. We thought that if we remained patient and calm, the result would come. We did this throughout the match. The game went as if we were always going to score. We conceded a goal at a moment we didn't expect." 

We showed a reaction after going 1-0 down. We played a good game today. We created many chances. In the end, we won. These types of matches are very important. Last-minute goals are very valuable in such games. I think it was a well-deserved victory. Regarding the goal we conceded, we could have been more concentrated after the set-piece."

Overall, the important thing was to win. We won with a good performance. We created many chances. We should have scored more goals. We weren't lucky; the ball hit the post four times. I thank my players for their efforts. I thank our fans," he said.

"WE NEED TO GET IT DONE BY FRIDAY"

Stating that his general goal is to win matches with the players he has, Buruk said, "We are currently short-handed. I need a right-back and a left-back very urgently. Our president and Mr. Erdem are working on it. We need to complete the right-back and left-back transfers quickly by Friday."

Today we used Kaan at right-back. Barış moved to left-back later in the game. Berkan played there. We are going to play a lot of matches. I want to make these transfers to solve this equation."

We came back from the last match, and I haven't left the training facility for 3 days. We are constantly looking for players, both to replace Sacha Boey and for the left-back position. It is a difficult period. It is the final week of the transfer window. It is not easy. We will try to do our best. Besides that, we will win every match we play. We have to continue by winning," he stated.

"SACHA BOEY WROTE AN INCREDIBLE STORY"

Regarding French right-back Sacha Boey, who transferred to the German side Bayern Munich, the yellow-reds' manager said, "Sacha Boey left for a record fee in the history of Turkish football. Everyone who contributed to this deserves to be congratulated. The biggest share belongs to Sacha Boey himself. He worked very hard and put in a lot of effort. He wrote an incredible story. I hope he will be successful there as well."

Stating that he has too many players in midfield, Okan Buruk said, "We use them by rotating. We are playing too many matches in a row. It is not just physical fatigue, but mental fatigue as well. Especially home games are not easy. The matches have also been very critical. Our main thought is that we need to make the transfers we planned, primarily the right-back and left-back, very urgently. The transfer window is still open, many opportunities may arise. We can register players for Europe until the 2nd," he explained.

"ASSIGNON IS ONE OF THE PLAYERS MENTIONED"

Stating that they did not expect Sacha Boey's transfer and that it was not a planned move, Buruk said, "Angelino also just went to Roma. Players need to leave for us to open up our foreign player quota. We always have preparations during this process. These preparations also go to other teams, and there are those who want to keep them in the squad. Assignon is also one of the players mentioned there. We have not had a direct, clear negotiation." 

There are 4 days left until the 2nd of the month for the transfers we will make. We need to act quickly after tomorrow. Our president is supporting us in this regard. Our board of directors is continuing in the same way. I hope that a player who will help us take a step forward will be found in these 4 days. We will continue to use the squad we have. We want to sign at least one player for each position," he assessed.

"I DO NOT WANT ANY MORE PLAYER LOSSES"

Stating that Barış Alper Yılmaz's value has increased because he can play in every position, the yellow-reds' manager said, "This is also an important thing for a footballer. He adapts to every position he plays in. We will not allow such players to leave our squad at this moment."

Galatasaray's squad is very valuable. Many offers will come for our players. I want to protect our current squad. Our number of players has decreased. The Africa Cup of Nations is ongoing, and we have players there as well. Honestly, I do not want any more player losses during this period," he said.

"I DO NOT BELIEVE IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPERIORITY"

Regarding the title race with Fenerbahçe, Okan Buruk said, "The last few matches for both teams have been close. Fenerbahçe won their last three matches with difficulty. We also have victories in our recent matches in the same manner. We have a superior style of play. Fenerbahçe is also playing dominantly. Both teams are playing to avoid dropping points in this positive atmosphere. In the past, dropping points might have been considered normal, but now it is not." 

Both teams are doing their best to win. We are going away this week, and Fenerbahçe is also playing away. It seems the team that makes the fewest mistakes will be the champion. I know we need to do better. We are playing too many matches. Players can get worn out within this schedule. The cup is also coming up next week. I do not believe in anything like psychological superiority. Both teams are on the same points. Their chances are equal." 

Galatasaray has a history of winning championships, especially during periods when we are in the title race. I want to say again that 'May is ours.' That is our goal, to win another championship on the road to the title. We clearly see how good a team Fenerbahçe is as well. The important thing is to be able to give that same love and happiness to the outside world. I know that we need to do our best for this," he said.

"HE PERFORMED WELL OVERALL"

Finally, regarding Berkan Kutlu, whom he deployed at left-back against Gaziantep FK, Okan Buruk concluded his remarks by saying, "He is very selfless both as a player and in character. Whenever he plays, he tries to do his best. He has returned. Today, I wanted to use a left-footed player who uses the flank. He performed well overall. Of course, it is not his natural position. I have no doubts about the good intentions of our players. Berkan showed that he is a good alternative for us there."

News Source: İHA