Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk admitted Manchester City were the better side after his team suffered a 2-0 defeat in their final league phase match of the UEFA Champions League, a result that confirmed City’s place in the top eight while sending the Turkish side into the knockout play offs.
Speaking after the game, Buruk reflected on his side’s performance and acknowledged the difference between both halves. “We showed two different types of play. We were better in the second half, especially when we kept the ball at our feet and had more possession. We did better than the first half, but we conceded two goals in the first half and didn’t score. If we’d scored an early goal in the second half, maybe we could have thought about a draw, but they have good players, a good coach, and they were better than us.”
Manchester City asserted control early at the Etihad and took the lead in the 10th minute. Jeremy Doku split the Galatasaray defence with a precise pass that sent Erling Haaland through on goal, and the Norwegian striker calmly lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to make it 1-0. City doubled their advantage in the 29th minute when Doku again turned provider, slipping a neat ball into the path of Rayan Cherki, who finished confidently from close range to give the hosts a comfortable cushion at halftime.
Galatasaray returned from the break with greater intent and enjoyed more possession, with Victor Osimhen leading their response. The Super Eagles striker came closest to pulling a goal back, forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into two saves, first with a clever flicked header and later with a low drive, but City’s goalkeeper remained alert to preserve the clean sheet.
Despite their improved second half showing, the visitors could not find a breakthrough, while City managed the game effectively and limited Galatasaray to half chances as they closed out the win for their fifth victory of the league phase.
Buruk remains optimistic about his side’s European journey as they head into the knockout play offs. “We are now in the top 24. We have a good team and strong players, and I hope we will be even better in the next round.”
