Galatasaray Heads to Konya: Buruk Calls for Focus

Galatasaray are travelling to face Konyaspor in the Süper Lig. Head coach Okan Buruk held a private meeting with his players after they beat the French side 4-2 in the Champions League and their arch-rivals 2-1 in the derby. The coach said he did not want the excitement they had built up to turn into complacency.

It is reported that Buruk told the players, "You kept your word to me. But if we cannot beat Konyaspor, the derby will mean nothing. We have crossed the ocean, so let's not drown in a stream." The experienced coach also reminded the squad of the points they dropped in Konya last season and pointed to the danger the home side poses on their own pitch.

The two teams will meet for the 51st time in Süper Lig history. In the previous 50 matches, Galatasaray have won 36, Konyaspor have won 6, and 8 ended in draws. In 25 matches played in Konya, Galatasaray have won 15 and the home side have won 6.

Konyaspor have found good form, winning 4 of their last 6 league matches. They also won their home match against Galatasaray last season by two goals. Galatasaray, for their part, have won 5 of their last 6 matches against this opponent and their only defeat came in Konya.

The Yellow-Reds will enter the international break with three important matches. After the Konyaspor trip, they host Stuttgart in the Champions League on Tuesday, 3 November, and then face Amed Sportif Faaliyetler at home on Saturday, 7 November. In the league, Victor Osimhen is the top scorer with 8 goals.