Torreira Says Galatasaray Can Beat Barcelona at Home

Lucas Torreira has vowed Galatasaray will not abandon their identity when Barcelona arrive, with the midfielder declaring the Istanbul side are targeting a home win in their next Champions League test.

The Uruguay international joined head coach Okan Buruk at the official pre-match media conference and accepted the scale of the task against Hansi Flick’s Barcelona. Torreira described the visitors as the world’s best team but insisted Galatasaray require no added incentive for a match of this size.

Quick facts

Torreira represented Galatasaray’s players alongside Okan Buruk at the pre-match press conference.
Galatasaray are seeking their first win of the Champions League phase after losing on Matchday 1.
Barcelona’s midfield and possession-based approach were singled out by Torreira.
Torreira also praised summer signing Aleksey Batrakov’s impact and character.

“We are facing the best side in the world and we want to win,” Torreira said. “Games like this bring their own motivation; you do not need anyone else to push you.”

The former Arsenal midfielder expects Barcelona to control long spells of possession. He said Flick’s side use the ball to wear opponents down before exploiting the spaces that emerge.

But Torreira made clear that Galatasaray will meet that challenge on their own terms. “Our mentality will stay the same,” he said. “We want victory in every game. If we have to defend, we will defend. If it is time to win the ball back, we will do that.”

He also highlighted Batrakov’s early adjustment following his summer move to Istanbul. Torreira said the youngster had impressed him both as a person and as a player, while revealing he had tried to support the new arrival away from football as well as during training and matches.

“He can make a difference, and teams need players like him,” Torreira said. “I am very pleased he is with us.”

Next, Galatasaray will look to turn home advantage into their first Champions League victory of the phase. Torreira called on the supporters to make their presence felt against the Catalan visitors, saying the squad are determined to reward them.

“Being at home matters enormously,” he said. “We are highly motivated and want to make our fans happy.”