In the first match of the Champions League play-off round, Galatasaray turned the night into a real show on its home field. The Turkish club defeated Juventus 5:2, gaining a very significant advantage before the return match. The atmosphere in the stadium, the pace, the pressure - everything came together, and the opponent's defense could not stand this wave for long.
After the match, Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk evaluated the team's performance and directly explained how the result came about. According to him, during the break, he had already congratulated his players for the game, because in the first half the team had more initiative in its hands.
Buruk emphasized that Galatasaray was superior on the field, but despite this, conceding two goals was perceived as a failure. But the most important thing is that the team did not give up the game, did not lose control and did not “break down” spiritually. On the contrary, they showed great character and made a wonderful comeback.
The coach did not hide the fact that he told the players at that moment that “if we continue at this pace, victory will definitely come.” Because in the second half, the “turning point” came very quickly: the team quickly scored the second goal, which increased their confidence even more. Then the third goal seemed to come by itself - the situation completely turned in favor of Galatasaray.
After that, the opponent’s loss of one man on the field further revealed the picture of the game. According to Buruk, the team did not slow down even after this situation: the advantage was maintained until the end of the match, the enthusiasm and pressure did not decrease, and no one had the feeling that the score was "enough".
Interestingly, Buruk said that this is exactly what he wanted most: for the team not to stop looking at the score, not to be "satisfied" until the end, to attack again and again. In his comments to Hurriyet, he emphasized this state of mind.
After this victory, Galatasaray has entered a rather comfortable position before the second leg. Now the main question is: will this discipline and this pace be maintained in the second leg? If it is maintained, the door to the next stage is wide open for the Turkish club.
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