Galatasaray lost the final test match in their training camp in Austria against the Italian club FC Parma. The Yellow-Reds were defeated by Parma with a score of 0:2. The goals for the Italians were scored by Hernani (42.) just before halftime and Dannis Man (70.) after the break. Galatasaray’s new Danish right-back Elias Jelert was included in the match squad. The 21-year-old right-back, who was signed from Copenhagen, Denmark, made his training debut with the team yesterday, sat on the bench but did not get to play. After the match, Galatasaray players handed their jerseys to the fans that they wore during the game. As planned before the match, the players went to the stands after the final whistle and distributed the jerseys to the supporters.
Training camp in Austria ends with defeat – focus now on Supercup
After the final whistle, many Parma players also requested the jerseys of the Galatasaray players. However, the Istanbul side had to decline their colleagues’ requests, stating that the jerseys would go to the fans. Galatasaray won two of the five scheduled test matches during their preparation phase for the new season. Galatasaray completed a total of two stages in Austria, playing three matches in the first camp and two matches in the second. “Gala” previously lost to the Austrian club LASK Linz with a score of 2:3 and to the German second division team Fortuna Düsseldorf with 2:5, while defeating the Slovakian club AS Trencin with 4:1 and the Serie A representative US Lecce with 2:1. Galatasaray finished the training camp with another defeat against Parma. Galatasaray will return to Istanbul shortly after the Parma match and will begin preparations for the TFF Supercup final against cup winners Besiktas, which will take place on August 3 at the Istanbul Atatürk Olympic Stadium.
Focus on Supercup and precise reinforcement
After the match, coach Okan Buruk commented on the match result, the upcoming Supercup final, and provided an update regarding transfer activities: We played two matches within three days, and our main goal was to prepare all our players. We are not too concerned about today’s result. The Galatasaray fans trust us, and we trust them. Our goal is to continue these successes. We are all very motivated, and we will keep going on a good path. We will again be the biggest candidate for the championship. Now we need to set the transfer period aside and focus on the league. Hopefully, it will be a good season.
Both teams will still play matches before they are ready for the league. Neither team will be 100% ready, but they will play their game. Today they (Besiktas) played a test match against Genclerbirligi. They have assembled a good team and have a good coach. We want to win and bring another trophy to the Galatasaray museum. We are a solid team, and it was important for us to keep the established team together. I have very good midfielders, but we want another profile, a midfielder who can help us progress in the Champions League and in the league. Aside from that, I have no urgent thoughts at the moment. We might make another transfer in the coming days if we identify our deficiencies.”