Galatasaray win, but Leao forced off injured after 16 minutes

In matchweek 8 of the Trendyol Süper Lig, Galatasaray traveled to face Gençlerbirliği and came away with a 1-0 victory. The winning goal for the Istanbul side was scored by Deniz Gül in the 88th minute. However, the match, which came just before a major derby, was overshadowed by an injury to Rafael Leao.

The Portuguese forward was brought on at the start of the second half, replacing Leroy Sane in the 61st minute. Leao lasted just 16 minutes on the pitch before being substituted in the 77th minute, with Deniz Gül coming on in his place. In an interesting twist, it was that very substitute, Deniz Gül, who scored the match-winning goal 11 minutes later.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, head coach Okan Buruk explained the reason behind Leao's early exit. According to Buruk, the Portuguese star slipped due to the poor condition of the pitch, which led to the injury. The coach stated that Leao was complaining of pain and that the club decided not to risk him further, adding that medical checks would follow.

Buruk was sharply critical of the pitch quality, insisting that the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) needs to inspect playing surfaces more thoroughly. He argued that if a league is called the Süper Lig, the pitches should also meet that standard. The coach stressed that player safety matters for both Galatasaray and Gençlerbirliği footballers alike, and said the club considered itself fortunate to escape with only this injury ahead of their upcoming Champions League fixture.

Buruk also touched on the absence of Lucas Torreira, who missed the match due to suspension, noting his importance to the team. Looking ahead, the coach mentioned next week's derby as well as the significance of the team's upcoming Champions League matches. According to reports, Galatasaray's next European test will come away at Lille.