Istanbul Basaksehir boss Okan Buruk warns “if you give Roma opportunities, they will score” ahead of their Europa League clash tomorrow night.
The Giallorossi beat the Turkish outfit 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in September, and Buruk says Thursday's meeting will be a huge event in his homeland.
“The game will be very important, not just for our team, but for all of Istanbul and for all of Turkish football. We will give it our all against Roma," said the coach in a press conference.
Istanbul Basaksehir boss Okan Buruk warns “if you give Roma opportunities, they will score” ahead of their Europa League clash tomorrow night.
The Giallorossi beat the Turkish outfit 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in September, and Buruk says Thursday's meeting will be a huge event in his homeland.
“The game will be very important, not just for our team, but for all of Istanbul and for all of Turkish football. We will give it our all against Roma," said the coach in a press conference.
Edin Dzeko, Justin Kluivert and Nicolo Zaniolo all scored against Basaksehir in the first meeting between the two sides, and Buruk says that Roma possess deadly forwards.
“If you give them [Roma’s players] opportunities to score, they will do so. I already said that after the first game.”
Roma will get a taste of the infamous Turkish atmosphere, and Buruk says the fans can play a role in tomorrow night’s game.
“Turkish hospitality is amongst the best in the world. We hope the stadium tomorrow will be full, as it’s an important game for us.”
Buruk, a former Inter player between 2001-04, won the UEFA Cup with Galatasaray in 2000, but he isn’t thinking of winning it as a coach just yet.
“The first goal is to win tomorrow night’s game and qualify from the group. Then we’ll talk about it.”
The Giallorossi sit on five points in group J and are in third place, whilst the home side are top with seven.