With a 3-0 win over Kayserispor, the most successful team in Turkish football history Galatasaray achieved a record-extending 25th Super Lig Lig title, in which a remarkable season for the Istanbul Giants was closed, which completed the domestic double.
On Wednesday, Galatasaray Trabzonspor 3-0 crushed to win a 19th Turkish cup – also more than anyone. They followed that with an excellent performance for their fans tonight, while celebrating their third league title in a row.
It has been a sensational campaign for Okan Buruk and his men in Turkey, who only lost one game in the two competitions (2-1 at Besiktas). Deviating from a Fenerbahce team led by Jose Mourinho, they can enjoy the last few games of the season against Goztepe and Istanbul Basaksehir.
But how did they become the champion of Turkey again? What were the most important contributing factors to their success in the Super Lig?
An exceptional team
Victor Osimhen and Davinson Sanchez EmbraceAaa / Abaca / Abaca Press / Profimedia
Simply put, Galatasaray has the best players and a team in the Super Lig. The 38-year-old club legend Fernando Muslera is perhaps older and not the keeper he used to be, but he still has a lot of experience and offers big moments.
Davinson Sanchez, in the heart of the defense, found his feet in Turkey after a heavy end of his career in Tottenham Hotspur and proves itself as the best in his position in the country. His partner, Abdulkerim Bardakci, is the best Turkish middle behind, while Ismail Jakobs and Eren are two fine left.
Mario Lemina is a transforming addition since signing in January, and former Arsenal player Lucas Torreira has forged a super partnership with him. Torreira had never scored more than one goal for this season in a super lying campaign, but with the addition of Lemina he got more freedom, which resulted in five goals.
Gabriel Sara has added a touch of class since he has joined Norwich for a club record € 18 million last summer, and although his form has been rejected in recent months, he still has quality bags and is a set piece specialist.
Mertens dries alongside Mario Leminanp / DDP USA / Profimedia
Dries Mertens, 38, has surfaced with moments of magic, while Turkish Wingers Baris Alper Yilmaz and Yunus Akgun have enjoyed fantastic seasons. The first has scored 11 league goals, while the last 10 assists offered.
Mauro Icardi has been exceptional for Galatasaray since he was connected in 2022, and scored 51 competition goals in 65 performances. However, he sustained a seasonal injury in November, which could have been a potentially fatal blow to the club. But luckily they found a certain striker called Victor Osimhen.
Galatasaray benefited from the fact that the Turkish transfer window stayed open longer than others in Europe and the Nigerian striker from Napoli on loan signed for the season after a deal was called in to join Chelsea.
One of the largest and most impactful signing sessions in the history of Super Lig, has rarely seen the competition a player of this quality in their competition at their peak. And he has been remarkable – it turned out to be almost a cheat code.
With 36 goals in all competitions, he broke the record for most goals scored by a foreign player in Turkey. One of the best strikers in the world, he has led defenders with his Freakish athletics and competence on the ball.
He leads the Super Lig goalop cap with 25 goals, and Galatasaray fans have desperately argued with the player to stay in the club as soon as his enchantment comes to an end. He fell in love with the club and the club has fallen in love with him, but he will certainly be very interested in the best teams in the world. He said that he will make his decision at the end of the season.
These players have been the stars of the show, but others have also contributed, including Roland Sallai, Kaan Ayhan and Alvaro Morata – who have made a number of vital cameos from the bank.
Okan Buruk Man Management
Galatasaray -Manager Okan Burukabdulhamid Hosbas / Anadolu / Anadolu via AFP / Profimedia
Galatasaray fans have a complicated relationship with manager Okan Buruk. At first glance, he has won three consecutive league titles and a Turkish cup during his three years that the leadership is in charge. What should you complain about?
As a club, however, the team in red and yellow always expects to be competitive in Europe. This was not the case during Okan's term of office. Over the years they have lost or drawn competitions to Copenhagen, Sparta Prague, Young Boys, RFS, Dynamo Kyiv and AZ Alkmaar, who have derailed their European campaign. They have not won any competition in a European knockout round.
So although fans appreciate what their legendary former player has done in their own country, they expect much more from him in Europe, especially with the caliber of players they have.
Much of it gets his lack of tactical insight and not always knowing what his best team is, which means they fail to do the European stage.
But a huge plus about Okan is his man management. He has created a beautiful area and harmony in the team. From the starting XI all the way to the bank players, he has a fantastic capacity to keep everyone happy and to get the best out of it.
This has done miracles in Turkey, because they play with freedom and are able to fall in the way of everyone who stands in the way. Of course, management cannot always bring you over the line in Europe, but in the competition it is more than enough proven.
Mentality
Galatasaray players celebrate their Turkish Cup Winčtk / Image Sport Photo Service / Seskimphoto
Many of these players have been here and have done this before. They understand how Turkish football works, and the constant sound and the pressure that circulates in it. Instead of getting a war war such as Mourinho and Fenerbahce, they have remained focused on their goal throughout the season.
It would be easy to get caught up in all the drama, but the players and manager have been steadfast in the idea that they will do their talks on the field. Players such as Muslera, Sanchez, Abdulkerim, Torreira, Mertens and Icardi, to name just a few, experienced what it is like to be in a title race with a Fenerbahce team that gets involved in many conspiracy theories, and they don't let it distract.
When they experienced a dip in shape in the middle of the season and stumbled a little, they came back in the style of the champion, defeated Fenerbahce in the cup and won their last nine games in a row.
When it really mattered towards the end of the season, they touch top equipment, and that is what the best teams do during a run-in.
They have behaved like champions and as a result they are champions again.
Super Lig -rankings flash score