Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk believes Liverpool should still be considered favourites to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MARCH 10: Head coach Okan Buruk of Galatasaray SK celebrating his sides win during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Galatasaray SK and Liverpool FC at Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi on March 10, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Okan Buruk celebrates his Galatasaray's 1-0 win over Liverpool(Image: BSR Agency/Getty Images)
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Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk believes Liverpool should still be considered favourites for their Champions League last-16 tie - despite a 1-0 win in the first leg on Tuesday night.
Mario Lemina's first-half header condemned the Reds to defeat at Rams Park. However, Buruk, whose side will travel to Anfield next Wednesday without any fans in attendance, after a UEFA ruling still believes the Premier League champions will be thought of as the most likely to progress to the quarter-finals.
"I think every team in the last 16 is strong and that is why they are here," Buruk said. "Liverpool are still the favourites but we have shown, like against Juventus, that if we unite our game with the fans that we have very good players and can hurt any team and fight them.
"We fought them tonight. Now we have to play in front of their fans but they have to score and that could leave spaces for us.
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"If we can score the first we can break their pressure and make it easier for ourselves.
"It will still be difficult but we believe we can win against any team and need to have that self-confidence. If we try to defend the lead we will not be able to do that.
Galatasaray had also won the league phase encounter between the teams in September 1-0 in Istanbul.
And Buruk added: "It was an important night against one of the biggest teams in Europe. We beat them once but this was a new game. I think we had the momentum shift in our favour
"They caused us a lot of problems at the start but then our centre-backs and midfield blocked them better. It was a good game for Turkish football and to beat such a great team twice makes us proud.
"The atmosphere was incredible thanks to our fans. I wish they could be with us for the away game but we will try to do our best for them."