Notable Icardi and Yunus Akgun Comments After the Antalyaspor – Galatasaray Match

In the 9th week of the Super Lig, Galatasaray defeated Antalyaspor 3-0 away, with goals from Icardi and Osimhen. Hurriyet writers Ugur Meleke and Firat Aydinus analyzed the match in their columns.

In the 9th week of Trendyol Super Lig, the leader Galatasaray won 3-0 away against Antalyaspor. The goals that brought victory to the yellow-red team were scored by Icardi in the 10th and 52nd minutes, and by Osimhen in the 90+3 minute.
With this result, Galatasaray increased their points total to 25 and maintained their lead. Antalyaspor remained at 8 points.
AWAY RECORD AND BEST SEASON START

Galatasaray has won its last 13 away games in the Super Lig, becoming the sole holder of the record previously shared with Fenerbahce. Additionally, the yellow-red team matched its best season start record, last achieved in the 2005/06 and 2023/24 seasons.

Hurriyet writers Ugur Meleke and Firat Aydinus evaluated the match in their columns.

UGUR MELEKE: YUNUS ‘OKAN BURUK’ AKGUN

I remember as if it were yesterday the day young Okan Buruk first stepped onto the green pitch in a Galatasaray jersey. It was the last match of a season ending in disappointment for the yellow-reds. The 18-year-old Okan made a show against Bakirkoy in a match between two aimless teams, scoring 2 goals in his first Super Lig level match. That flashy debut was followed by the U18 European Championship victory that same summer. Our super generation, featuring players like Emre Asik, Oktay Derelioglu, and Okan Buruk, reached the top of the continent in the youth category.

ENDLESS ENERGY

Young Okan played as an offensive midfielder in those days. He frequently moved into scoring areas, standing out with his ability to assist and score. Then came that unfortunate injury, which kept him out for a year, and upon his return, he experienced a loss of confidence. Perhaps as a result of that lack of confidence, he found himself playing in various positions: as a number 10, a right-winger, a central midfielder, and even at right-back at times. Over the years, his incredible talent became known more for his hardworking nature, endless energy, and fighting spirit.

A FIGHTING CAREER

What truly defines Okan Buruk, in my opinion, is the fact that he had to scratch his way up from the bottom, both in his playing career and as a coach. No role was ever offered to him on a silver platter. We can see traces of that fighting career in his coaching style and player management.

MOBILE IN BOTH MATCHES

Attentive sports fans might remember: The reason Gomis parted ways with Galatasaray was because Okan Buruk, in a match where they needed a goal, chose to substitute Baris Alper instead of him. Time proved Buruk right, as Baris Alper worked hard and improved to become a player at the national team level. The player Okan Buruk is focusing on now is Yunus Akgun. Yunus also emerged from the bottom, reviving his declining career hand in hand with his coach. In the previous week’s match against Alanya, he played as a left winger, and yesterday as a right winger. In both games, he played with mobility, moving around and disrupting the balance of the opposing defenses.

Yesterday in Antalya, while watching Yunus’s versatility, his movement, his mobility, and his hard work, I kept thinking of Okan Buruk. When I see Yunus, my mind inevitably drifts back to the young Okan from the ’90s.

FIRAT AYDINUS: GALATASARAY HAS ICARDI, AND IF NOT ICARDI, THEN OSIMHEN

Galatasaray started the game with pressure and found the goal early. On the corner, Mertens didn’t just send a cross but practically served the ball to Icardi. With such skilled players, set pieces are practically +1 goal every game. Sara and Mertens are real assets for Galatasaray. As for Icardi, he is a luxury for any team. Whether he goes to Argentina at his whim, suffers an injury, or even if the team signs new strikers, Icardi remains essential for Galatasaray.

THE TEMPO WAS NOT HIGH

It wasn’t a high-tempo match. In fact, for this pitch, even this tempo was more than enough. If Galatasaray had been a bit more skillful with their finishing in the first half, they could have gone into the break with a different score. At that point, Antalyaspor was playing with just 4 fouls, not pushing too hard, and avoiding physical challenges. In the second half, although Antalya made two substitutions and appeared slightly more effective compared to the first half, their impact was in line with their overall strength. Just as we were about to say “Galatasaray secured three points with Mauro Icardi’s goals, breaking the record for the longest away win streak in Süper Lig history,” Osimhen sealed the game with a magnificent goal.

A GOAL WORTH TAKING YOUR HAT OFF TO

Whether they play or not, whether they wait on the bench or come on as substitutes, maintaining high levels of concentration and motivation is what truly sets global stars like Osimhen and Icardi apart. Osimhen was on the bench while Icardi, under pressure, scored two goals. When Osimhen came on and scored that exquisite goal, Icardi tipped his hat from the bench, and at the end of the match, they stood together like yellow and red, greeting the fans side by side.