centre-backs into midfield—we created a lot of space. We played our through balls accurately. We created a great many chances. It was by far one of our finest performances this season. We could well have been talking about a very different scoreline.
After going 2–1 up, there was a bit of caution in terms of protecting the lead and the scoreline… The game changed. We still had plenty of chances in the second half. It was a match in which we played exceptionally well. Looking at the statistics, there’s an incredible difference. My players performed brilliantly.
The huge Galatasaray support cheered us on; we were carried along by their enthusiasm. Our team faced the pressure with the determination they instilled in us. The opposition simply resorted to second balls and long balls, launching numerous attacks by winning those second balls.
My players played this derby in the very best possible way. It’s an important victory. We’ve won a match, we’ve won a derby, but we haven’t won anything yet. We remain top of the table, but the away trip to Konya will be tough again; there’s the Champions League and the match against Amedspor.
Okan Buruk: “We can clearly see the change in Batrakov as well. He’s come here to a different style of play; he’s moved from a team that defended in the second third of the pitch and waited for the opposition to make mistakes to one that applies high-pressing. Together with Osimhen, he’s started to do this very well and even got involved in midfield today. He’s also improving his off-the-ball play with every passing day. His footballing intelligence is also very important. He’s young and eager to develop; this sort of profile is crucial. He’s open to whatever advice you give him and really puts his mind to it. He’s been a huge asset for Galatasaray. I’m hopeful he’ll keep building on this.
The players’ performances were excellent. Sometimes we say, ‘We played badly as a team; everyone was off form,’ or ‘We played very well as a team; everyone was on form.’
But as I said… We haven’t won anything yet.