Galatasaray will travel to face Liverpool in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, holding a one-goal advantage from the first leg. Head coach Okan Buruk stated in the pre-match press conference that his team will not be intimidated by the atmosphere at Anfield and is confident of securing qualification.

On playing at Anfield

“It feels fantastic to be here at Anfield. Walking into the stadium and imagining tomorrow’s match is a very special experience. This is not only important for Galatasaray, but also for Turkish football as a whole. Our Champions League journey has had its ups and downs, but also valuable experience. Now is the time to show our quality. Liverpool are a top-class team, with renowned players and coaching staff. Their main objective this season is to succeed in the Champions League. We have beaten them twice this season, but both were at home. Now it’s a new challenge. I believe my players can perform at their best and secure qualification away from home.”

On the one-goal advantage from the first leg

“We shouldn’t dwell too much on the past but focus on our current form. The team is in good shape, improving steadily, and the players are full of confidence. We’ve become a better team and understand each other very well. We’re progressing well both in the league and in Europe, and the players’ market values are rising. For example, Gabi (Gabriel) has already been called up to the Brazil national team. Hopefully, we can succeed on both fronts.”

On Liverpool’s tactical approach

“Liverpool’s lineup in the first leg was surprising. For the second leg, I expected Gomez to play, but he is injured, so there is uncertainty at right-back. Even Szoboszlai has been used there. If Gakpo and Salah play on the wings, then where will Wirtz play? In the first leg, Wirtz often cut inside from wide areas. We struggled to deal with that early on, but later we managed to adjust. We know our opponent and what they might do, but we should focus more on our own game and what we can do well.”

On confidence in qualifying

“It’s not right to judge outcomes purely based on squad value. Having good players is important, and we also have quality players at Galatasaray. At this stage, we should be thinking about how far we can go if we win. That’s the right mindset. We shouldn’t just think about not conceding, but about scoring goals. We had a bad experience against Juventus, which served as a valuable lesson. Tomorrow, we will do better. I believe the match won’t be decided early, so we must stay fully focused every minute. Whether starting or coming off the bench, every player must contribute.”

On the ban of Galatasaray fans from attending the match

“Our fans are extremely important to us—they give us great motivation. I believe the punishment (banning Galatasaray fans from attending away matches due to fireworks) is unfair. It’s also wrong to give their allocated seats to Liverpool fans. Those who made the mistake are not the same as those being punished. The decision is unjust and unreasonable. The team will fight for our fans, because wherever we go, they support us from behind.”

On the team’s objective for the match

“Our goal is simple—to beat them. We have a one-goal advantage, but we must stay grounded. Everyone is fully focused in preparation, and we hope to achieve a positive result tomorrow.”