Galatasaray Coach Okan Buruk Reacts to Victor Osimhen's Derby Winner vs Besiktas
Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has provided his detailed reaction following his team's hard-fought 1-0 victory over arch-rivals Besiktas in the intense Istanbul derby at the Tupras Stadium on March 7, 2026. The crucial win was secured by a solitary goal from Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen in the 39th minute, extending Galatasaray's lead at the top of the Turkish Super Lig table.
Osimhen's Decisive Strike and Sane's Red Card Drama
Victor Osimhen proved to be the match-winner for Galatasaray, scoring the only goal of the contest in the 39th minute to give his team a vital advantage in the heated derby atmosphere. The Super Eagles forward's clinical finish provided the foundation for Galatasaray's victory, though the match took a dramatic turn in the second half when Leroy Sane received a red card in the 62nd minute.
According to match reports from TRT Futbol, the video assistant referee judged Sane's foul on Besiktas player Rilwan Yilmaz to be violent conduct, resulting in the German winger's dismissal. This forced Galatasaray to play the remainder of the match with only ten players, including an additional ten minutes of stoppage time in the second half, yet they managed to hold on to their slender lead.
Buruk's Assessment of the Hard-Fought Victory
Coach Okan Buruk admitted that his team's failure to convert additional scoring opportunities nearly cost them the valuable three points. "We defended well; however, I think we still had three or four chances to score," Buruk told GS TV. "We even had these opportunities when we were down to ten men. If we had made better use of our final passes, the result could have been different."
The Galatasaray boss also expressed significant concerns about the officiating during the derby clash, claiming there were numerous decisive situations that the referee and his team failed to handle correctly. "There were many decisions during the game that made both teams unhappy," Buruk stated. "I think the fourth official was also having a bad day; frankly, I can't say the refereeing team as a whole had a good day. Therefore, neither Galatasaray nor Beşiktaş were satisfied with the refereeing."
Mental Boost Ahead of Champions League Clash with Liverpool
Despite the challenges faced during the match, Buruk emphasized the psychological importance of the derby victory as his team prepares for their upcoming UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match against English giants Liverpool. "The next match will be against Liverpool; that's a completely different story," Buruk acknowledged. "We'll see yet another story after returning from the Liverpool away game."
The Turkish coach highlighted the significance of the win beyond just the three points earned. "The most important thing today was to win, and we achieved that," Buruk declared. "This victory is not only about three points, but it also strengthens us mentally."
Osimhen's Confidence Boost for Liverpool Challenge
Match-winner Victor Osimhen echoed his coach's sentiments about the psychological impact of the derby victory, particularly looking ahead to the Champions League encounter with Liverpool. The Nigerian international admitted that the hard-fought win over Besiktas will provide a significant confidence boost for Galatasaray as they prepare to face the Premier League side.
Osimhen expressed assurance that his team can achieve a positive result against Liverpool, building on the momentum gained from their derby triumph. The victory extended Galatasaray's lead over their fiercest rivals Fenerbahce to seven points at the top of the Turkish Super Lig table, with the Yellow and Blue having a game in hand to potentially extend their advantage further.
