Buruk will hope to capitalize on home advantage when Galatasaray host Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday evening.
That comes as the Turkish side are aware that, as things stand, they will have no away fans for next week’s Anfield decider, following violent scenes around their play-off match against Juventus.
Galatasaray also knows they have done that seven players are in danger of being suspendedwith a yellow card in the home game ruling them out of the trip to Liverpool.
Risks of suspension Galatasaray vs. Liverpool
| Player | Position | Start (All Comps) |
|---|---|---|
| Ugurcan Cakir | Goalkeeper | 29 |
| Davinson Sanchez | Central defender | 34 |
| Abdulkerim Bardakci | Central defender | 36 |
| Ismail Jacobs | Left back | 18 |
| Roland Sallai | Right winger | 31 |
| Victor Osimhen | Attacker | 23 |
| Only Noah | Winger | 6* |
* Noa Lang was loaned out in January. All named players will be suspended for the second leg at Anfield if they are shown a yellow card tonight. Data verified before March 10, 2026.
That includes Buruk’s full back-4 and first-choice goalkeeper, along with top scorer Victor Osimhen and January signing Noa Lang.
And during his pre-match press conference, Buruk criticized UEFA and urged a change to the rules, with players who pick up three yellow cards between the league stage and the semi-finals currently facing a one-match ban.
“UEFA must absolutely change this as the number of matches increases. Seven of our players are on the verge of suspension,” he told reporters per Liverpool.com.
“The most difficult thing for us is that four of our most playing players are in the same defensive position, our goalkeeper and two attackers, on the edge.
“While we play this match to the best of our ability, we will also do our best to avoid being dealt cards unnecessarily.”
Buruk also confirmed that Galatasaray has appealed against sanctions imposed by UEFA over allegations of throwing objects, setting off fireworks and unruly crowds during their play-off match against Juventus last month.
“I don’t think it’s fair either. It’s not fair to just look at it from the perspective of the fans,” he argued.
“The behavior of the police there is also very important.”
What did Galatasaray fans do to deserve a ban at Anfield?
This is reported by a leading Italian news agency ANSAThe incidents involved around 400 Galatasaray Ultras who damaged shuttles on their way to the ground and attempted to collide with home fans outside the stadium.
It is claimed that almost 50 supporters forced their way into the stadium after they were refused a name change on their tickets before being turned away by authorities.
Fireworks were shot at the home crowd, leaving a father and daughter injured and requiring hospital treatment, with the perpetrator apprehended after the match.
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