İlkay Gündoğan clarifies controversy over Okan Buruk remarks

Following Galatasaray's 1-0 away win over Gençlerbirliği, sealed by a late goal, İlkay Gündoğan finally addressed the comments about him that had dominated headlines for days. The German international sought to defuse the controversy surrounding his earlier remarks about head coach Okan Buruk.

Asked by a reporter after the match, Gündoğan said there had been a misunderstanding. The experienced midfielder explained that he could not make the matchday squad without being ready and proving himself in every training session, adding that it would be wrong if things worked otherwise. He stressed that, as a footballer, he naturally wants to play, which is why he travels to every match regardless of whether it is home or away.

Gündoğan admitted he had not had playing time for quite a while but said he was trying not to let it affect his morale. He noted that he always looks at himself critically first, with the final decision on selection resting with the coach, a decision he said he always respects.

The midfielder added that for 18 years he has prepared himself in the best possible way for every match, and that he would gladly help the club and his teammates whenever the team needs him. Earlier, his blunt response to a journalist's question about being ready for the Barcelona match — 'I'm not playing, so why would I be ready?' — had sparked widespread debate. His latest comments mark the first time he has clarified that remark.