Galatasaray boss demands Champions League change rule on eve of Liverpool clash

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Okan Buruk is wary of seven of his players missing the second leg of his side Galatasaray's Champions League draw against Liverpool due to yellow card accumulation

Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk had some harsh words for UEFA on Monday(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool will face a tricky test in Galatasaray in the Champions League Round of 16. The sides are set to face off on Tuesday in Istanbul, and both will be with nearly fully fit (sans Alexander Isak for the Reds).

However, Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk hit out at UEFA for rules that leave seven of his players, including talismanic striker Victor Osimhen (who scored against Liverpool in September), a game away from suspension. In his pre-match press conference, he called for rule changes.

Those seven players all have two yellow cards from the league phase: a third triggers an automatic suspension in the Champions League, as do a fifth and a seventh. Suspensions for yellow card accumulation are eliminated in the semifinal round.

“There could have been a reduction regarding yellow cards for 10 matches,” Buruk said. “As it stands, yellow cards will be wiped clean in the semi-finals. UEFA absolutely needs to change this after the number of matches increases. Seven of our players are on the verge of suspension."

In addition to Osimhen, who has seven Champions League goals to his name this year, six other Galatasaray players are at risk: Goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakır, defenders Ismail Jakobs, Davinson Sanchez, Abdulkerim Bardakcı, winger Roland Sallai, and forward Noa Lang.

Victor Osimhen was the Man of the Match when the two clubs faced off in the Champions League group phase(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool coach Arne Slot faces fewer such dilemmas: only Curtis Jones and Conor Bradley face a similar suspension.

“The most difficult part for us is that four of our most frequently playing players in the same position in defense, our goalkeeper, and two attackers are on the verge," Buruk added. "While playing this match in the best way possible, we will also do our best to avoid getting cards unnecessarily.”

Buruk led Galatasaray to an unlikely win over Liverpool in September(Image: Getty Images)

Any player receiving a yellow in the first leg will miss the return leg at Anfield. Galatasaray is already at a disadvantage for that occasion: UEFA has banned the club from bringing away fans.

Missing Osimhen would be a big blow. The 27-year-old has 18 total goals and five assists in 23 starts this year. His first-half strike was all Galatasaray needed to beat city-rivals Besiktas 1-0 away over the weekend.

The Nigerian striker initially joined the Turkish club on loan in 2024 before his move was made permanent for an eye-watering €75 million ($87 million) in 2025.

Arne Slot admitted that his side must perform much better than it did against Galatasaray last time to advance.

"We know in the away leg we will have to perform better than the last time we were in Istanbul back in September," he said in his pre-match presser. "That is our immediate challenge in this tie.”