Captain Bardakcı finally breaks Kocaelispor
Galatasaray 1–0 Kocaelispor at home, and your captain got the only goal. Abdülkerim Bardakcı scored it (1)(2)(3)(5).
It took until the second half. Bardakcı said he knew it was coming: "I really felt I was going to score today. Whilst talking to my daughter before the match, she said, 'Dad, a goal'" (4).
He had not scored in a long time. His first thought when it went in was his family. "When I scored, I wanted to run over to my daughter and my wife" (4).
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The win puts you on 13 points, top of the Süper Lig after five games, and still unbeaten (1)(5).
Osimhen and Lemina are the Trabzonspor question
You travel to Trabzonspor on Saturday, 19:00 CEST, and Okan Buruk has two fitness worries. Osimhen and Lemina are still in treatment, with the hope being they are ready in time (Reddit press conference).
Buruk is clear on what Osimhen gives you beyond the goals. "It's not just about him as a player; his presence on the pitch is a psychological boost. The way they play is different when he's there" (Reddit press conference).
Singo is further away. He is expected back after the international break (Reddit press conference).
Buruk: Trabzonspor lost, so they will come at you
Trabzonspor lost their last match, and Buruk knows exactly what that means for Saturday. "They'll be highly motivated. They've got a very strong squad. Their sole aim will be to beat us" (Reddit press conference).
He is not making it about the opponent alone. "We'll be preparing for the match this week too. If our players are fit to return, and if we can get Osimhen and Lemina ready in time, we'll field a stronger squad" (Reddit press conference).
Buruk on the referees after Kocaelispor
Buruk was furious about the officiating after the Kocaelispor win. "Hakemlik hayatını bitiririm" he said, meaning he would end a referee's career (8).
He also repeated the line he keeps coming back to: "Galatasaray her maçı kazanmak zorunda," Galatasaray have to win every match (7).
Deniz Gül had a goal ruled out for Kocaelispor. Former referee Mustafa Çulcu said the decision was correct (6).
The disallowed goal, from Kocaelispor's side
Kocaelispor keeper Serhat Öztaşdelen was involved in the moment that decided the game. He said the goal he conceded was unlucky, and that Deniz Gül touched his hand on the disallowed one: "Deniz Gül de elime temas etti" (12).
Their coach Selçuk İnan was satisfied with what he saw. "Oyuncularımın performansından oldukça memnunum," he said, meaning he is very happy with his players' performance (9)(10)(11).
Fan reactions
The mood after Kocaelispor is relief more than celebration. Fans are calling it the game where "we finally beat Kocaelispor and the transfers are playing," and the win over a stubborn opponent landed harder than a routine 1–0 usually would.
The Trabzonspor buildup is already the main thread. Supporters are replaying Buruk's press conference line by line, especially the Osimhen fitness update, because everyone knows Saturday's team looks different with him in it.
