Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk has admitted he prevented Victor Osimhen from improving on his personal goals record in a single season.
He said he did so to avoid the striker getting injured or booked as Galatasaray stay on track for a third straight Turkish Super Lig title.
Osimhen scored a brace to set a new personal goals record of 32 goals, but he could well have scored more goals against Sivasspor as Galatasaray ran away 4-1 winners at home.
“I prevented him from raising his career record a little bit. I took him out of the game early, considering his next match. There was also the risk of injury and card,” the Galatasaray coach admitted.
“He could have easily scored three goals today, but we want to protect our players. I may have prevented him from improving his career record a little bit. (Laughing).”
‘Gala’ have opened an eight-point gap at the top of the standings with closest rivals Fenerbache still to play later today.
Coach Buruk said they want to be crowned champions as soon as possible.
“We are looking at each match. We are focusing on our own match without looking at our opponent’s match,” he said.
“We want to win the three-match series and be crowned champions. We will go to a difficult Trabzon away match. We will play the Kayseri match and the Göztepe away match. Our goal is to win here and be champions.
“I hope we can be champions as soon as possible. We need to continue with the same concentration. The important thing is to do our job correctly.”
