Joan Laporta hails Barcelona as the best team in the world ahead of their Champions League clash with Galatasaray, as Okan Buruk promises an aggressive response.
Laporta calls Barcelona the best team in the world ahead of Galatasaray clash
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has declared that the Catalan giants are currently playing the best football in Europe and the world as Hansi Flick's side prepare for a demanding Champions League encounter against Galatasaray in Istanbul. Speaking ahead of Tuesday's match, scheduled for 20:00, Laporta expressed enormous confidence in the team's performances, praising the atmosphere inside the dressing room, the quality of the squad and the determination to turn an exceptional start to the season into another successful campaign.
Barcelona arrive in Turkey having won all eight of their opening league matches, equalling a club record and establishing themselves as one of the most impressive teams in European football. Their attacking performances have attracted widespread attention, and their Champions League campaign began with a convincing 5-1 victory over Feyenoord. Those results have strengthened expectations surrounding Flick's team, although Laporta was careful to distinguish between believing Barcelona are currently playing the best football and declaring them outright favourites to win Europe's most prestigious club competition.
The Barcelona president acknowledged that Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich remain formidable opponents and that the Champions League frequently produces unexpected challengers. Nevertheless, he insisted that the Catalan club have the quality, confidence and ambition required to compete for every major trophy available this season. His assessment was remarkably similar to that of Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk, who described Barcelona as the most in-form team on the planet while promising that the Turkish champions would not approach the encounter with fear.
With Barcelona determined to maintain their perfect start and Galatasaray eager to recover from their opening defeat against Sporting, the meeting promises to provide an important test for both teams. The visitors will attempt to impose the attacking football that has defined their campaign, while the hosts believe their aggressive approach and the atmosphere created by their supporters can make life considerably more difficult for the Spanish champions.
Joan Laporta believes Barcelona are playing the best football in Europe
Laporta made no attempt to hide his satisfaction with Barcelona's progress under Flick. The president believes the club have established an extremely positive sporting environment in which the players are motivated, confident and determined to maintain the standards they have demonstrated throughout the opening weeks of the season.
"The feeling is very good. I see the team extremely focused and motivated. We are in a good moment. We have to keep winning. I know we have won all eight of our league matches and equalled a club record, but the important thing is to keep going," Laporta explained.
He then delivered the strongest assessment of Barcelona's current level, placing Flick's side ahead of every other team in European football in terms of the quality of their performances.
"Honestly, and also humbly, I believe we are playing the best football in Europe and therefore in the world. There are other very good teams, such as PSG and Bayern, and there can always be a surprise team," he said.
The comments reflect the optimism surrounding Barcelona following their extraordinary opening sequence. Winning eight consecutive domestic matches requires consistency, particularly in a competition where opponents employ different tactical systems and frequently adapt their approach specifically to frustrate the strongest teams. Barcelona have not only collected victories but have also displayed the attacking confidence and collective understanding that Laporta believes distinguish them from their European rivals.
However, maintaining such standards across an entire season represents a different challenge. The demands of competing in La Liga, the Champions League and domestic cup competitions will require careful squad management, particularly during periods when fixtures arrive in quick succession. Laporta appears aware of those difficulties, which helps explain why he continued emphasising the importance of collecting victories rather than celebrating the team's impressive statistics too early.
His reference to PSG and Bayern was also significant. Both clubs possess the experience and individual quality required to compete for European honours, and Laporta recognised that Barcelona's excellent current form does not automatically make them superior in every possible encounter. His comments were instead an expression of confidence in the team's footballing identity and the progress made under Flick.
Champions League remains a major objective for Barcelona
Although Laporta believes Barcelona are performing at the highest level, he resisted the suggestion that the club should automatically be considered favourites to win the Champions League. The trophy has eluded Barcelona since 2015, and ending that wait has become one of the most important ambitions associated with the current sporting project.
"We are contenders to win it. We have identified the Champions League as one of our objectives for the season. We aspire to win everything with a great squad, following the excellent work carried out this summer by Deco and Flick," the president stated.
The distinction between being a contender and a favourite is particularly important in the Champions League. Domestic consistency can demonstrate the strength of a team's underlying performances, but European knockout football often depends on managing individual moments, adapting to unfamiliar opponents and responding effectively when circumstances change during a match.
Barcelona's recent history provides a reminder of how demanding the competition can be. Despite their enormous reputation and continued ability to attract elite players, the Catalan club have been unable to reclaim the trophy since their last triumph in 2015. Each new campaign has therefore brought renewed expectations, with supporters hoping that Barcelona can finally return to the summit of European football.
This season's opening performance against Feyenoord offered considerable encouragement. The 5-1 victory demonstrated Barcelona's ability to create opportunities and punish opponents when their attacking combinations function effectively. Scoring five goals in the opening league-phase fixture also provided an ideal platform for the European campaign, but the meeting with Galatasaray presents a different challenge.
Unlike a home match in Catalonia, Barcelona must now contend with an intensely passionate away atmosphere and an opponent that has openly promised to attack. It is precisely the type of fixture that can reveal whether a team's domestic form translates into the composure and tactical discipline required in European competition.
Laporta nevertheless believes Barcelona have assembled a squad capable of competing on several fronts. His praise for sporting director Deco and coach Flick reflects the confidence within the club that recent decisions have strengthened the team and created greater competition for places.
Positive dressing-room atmosphere drives remarkable start
One of the central themes of Laporta's comments was the importance of the atmosphere inside the Barcelona dressing room. Rather than attributing the team's performances exclusively to individual quality, the president highlighted the collective motivation and competition that have developed within the squad.
"When a player comes on, he wants to do better than the player he replaces, and that is very positive. If the coach says the players are still hungry, even though many of them have won the World Cup, it is because that is the reality," Laporta said.
His observation suggests that Barcelona's internal competition has become an important source of motivation. A squad containing several high-level players in similar positions can sometimes create difficulties for a coach, particularly when established names are required to accept reduced playing time. Laporta, however, believes Flick has managed to turn that competition into a positive influence on the team's performances.
The willingness of substitutes to contribute immediately is especially valuable during a demanding season. Matches are increasingly shaped by changes made during the second half, whether because of fatigue, tactical adjustments or the need to introduce a player with different attacking qualities. When those arriving from the bench are as motivated as the starting players, the team has a greater chance of maintaining intensity throughout the encounter.
Flick's approach has also been associated with an emphasis on collective responsibility. Attacking players are expected to contribute without possession, midfielders must support both phases of play, and defenders need to remain coordinated when the team commits additional numbers forward. Those demands require the type of commitment Laporta believes is currently present throughout the Barcelona squad.
The president's comments also indicate that he sees the current unity as a foundation for long-term success. Individual brilliance can decide important matches, but a team attempting to compete for every available trophy needs consistent contributions from a large group of players. Maintaining that collective mentality will become increasingly important if Barcelona encounter injuries, unexpected defeats or periods when results are less convincing.
Laporta backs Lamine Yamal for the 2026 Ballon d'Or
Beyond praising the team collectively, Laporta also expressed his support for Lamine Yamal in the race for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The Barcelona president believes the young attacker deserves football's most prestigious individual award, further demonstrating the confidence surrounding the talent currently available to Flick.
Yamal has become one of the most influential figures in Barcelona's attacking structure, combining technical ability, creativity and the confidence to take responsibility in important situations. His development has been central to the team's growing ambitions, and Laporta's public endorsement reflects the importance the club places on its young star.
The Ballon d'Or debate naturally involves comparisons with outstanding players from other clubs and competitions, and individual awards are influenced by performances across an entire season. Nevertheless, Laporta's comments were a clear expression of support for Yamal and a recognition of the level he believes the player has reached.
For Barcelona, the continued development of younger footballers is also important from a broader perspective. Building a squad around players capable of remaining influential for several seasons provides continuity and can reduce the need for constant major changes. Yamal represents a central part of that ambition, particularly when combined with the experience and leadership available elsewhere in the team.
Against Galatasaray, Barcelona will once again depend on the creativity of their attacking players to break through an opponent expected to compete aggressively. Yamal's ability to operate in crowded areas and create opportunities could be particularly important if the Turkish champions succeed in disrupting Barcelona's usual passing rhythm.
Okan Buruk promises Galatasaray will attack Barcelona
While Barcelona's president was expressing confidence in his team's exceptional form, Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk was delivering a similarly strong assessment of the opposition. The Turkish manager openly described Barcelona as the most in-form side in world football, acknowledging the difficulty of the challenge awaiting his players.
"We are not afraid, but we know we are going to face the most in-form team on the planet. It is normal for everyone to consider them favourites against us, but we will give everything on the pitch," Buruk said.
Despite that recognition, the Galatasaray coach insisted that his team would not approach the match with a purely defensive mentality. Buruk wants his players to be aggressive, challenge Barcelona physically and use the energy generated by the home supporters to make the encounter uncomfortable for the visitors.
"First of all, we are Galatasaray, and on top of that, we are playing at home. We will be very aggressive and fight for every ball with all the determination in the world. We are not going to limit ourselves to defending. We will go after them and attack them," he declared, according to Spanish newspaper As.
Those comments suggest an ambitious approach from the Turkish champions. Rather than simply attempting to restrict Barcelona's possession and protect their defensive positions, Galatasaray intend to compete actively for control of the match and create attacking opportunities of their own.
That strategy carries both potential advantages and significant risks. Pressing Barcelona aggressively can disrupt their build-up if executed with the necessary coordination, but leaving space between defensive lines can be dangerous against opponents capable of progressing the ball quickly and exploiting gaps.
Buruk will therefore need to balance his desire for attacking football with the defensive organisation required to contain Barcelona's most dangerous players. The coach's emphasis on aggression should not necessarily be interpreted as an intention to abandon defensive responsibilities. Instead, he appears determined to ensure that Galatasaray do not allow the visitors to dictate the entire match without resistance.
Galatasaray seek response after defeat against Sporting
The meeting arrives at an important moment in Galatasaray's European campaign. The Turkish champions began the Champions League league phase with a 3-1 defeat away to Sporting at the Estádio José Alvalade, leaving them under pressure to produce a better result in their second fixture.
Losing the opening match is not necessarily decisive in the league-phase format, but it immediately increases the importance of the following encounters. Galatasaray know that collecting points against strong opposition could prove valuable as they attempt to establish a competitive position in the standings.
The challenge against Barcelona is particularly demanding because the Spanish champions arrive with considerable momentum. Their 5-1 victory over Feyenoord was an emphatic statement of attacking intent, and their perfect domestic record has reinforced the impression that Flick's team are operating with exceptional confidence.
Nevertheless, Galatasaray will take encouragement from the fact that the encounter is being played in Istanbul. Home advantage can become especially significant in European competition, particularly at stadiums where supporters create an intense atmosphere and maintain constant pressure on visiting teams.
Laporta himself recognised that factor when discussing the match. The Barcelona president described Istanbul as a beautiful city but acknowledged that playing at Galatasaray's stadium represents a formidable experience.
"Today we are in Istanbul, which is a beautiful city, and we are ready for a great match, the kind everyone loves to play, in a stadium that is like hell for visiting teams," he said.
The description illustrates the respect Barcelona have for the environment they are about to enter. Even a team enjoying an exceptional winning sequence must remain composed when faced with hostile surroundings, particularly if the home side begins strongly and succeeds in drawing energy from the stands.
Lucas Torreira demands exceptional performance from Galatasaray
Galatasaray midfielder Lucas Torreira echoed his coach's assessment of Barcelona, describing the visitors as the best team in the world at the moment. The Uruguayan international acknowledged that Galatasaray would need to produce an exceptional performance to compete successfully against opponents with such impressive recent results.
"To play against the best team in the world right now, you have to do everything extremely well and give your very best. Galatasaray are accustomed to giving everything in the Champions League. We are a solid team that rises to the challenge when facing adversity, with the support of our fans. We are highly motivated," Torreira said.
His comments underlined the importance of collective discipline and the determination to respond after the defeat against Sporting. Torreira believes Galatasaray's experience of playing in demanding European environments can help them approach the match with confidence despite Barcelona's status as favourites.
The midfielder's role could become especially important because the battle for control of central areas is likely to influence the rhythm of the encounter. Barcelona are particularly dangerous when their midfielders have time to receive possession, turn and identify passing options further forward. Galatasaray will need to prevent those situations from developing too frequently if they hope to impose their own approach.
At the same time, the hosts cannot concentrate exclusively on disrupting the opposition. Buruk has made clear that his team want to attack, meaning Galatasaray's midfielders must also be prepared to support attacking movements and make effective decisions when possession is recovered.
Torreira's emphasis on determination and solidarity reflects that dual responsibility. Galatasaray will need concentration without the ball and confidence when opportunities arise, particularly against a Barcelona team capable of punishing mistakes quickly.
A major tactical examination for both teams in Istanbul
The contrasting ambitions expressed by Laporta and Buruk have created an intriguing build-up. Barcelona arrive convinced that their current performances are unmatched in world football, while Galatasaray openly recognise that quality but refuse to approach the contest as an exercise in limiting damage.
If the Turkish champions follow through on their promise to press and attack, the match could become considerably more open than a conventional encounter between a strong favourite and an underdog. Barcelona may find opportunities to exploit space when Galatasaray push forward, but the hosts could also create problems if they succeed in forcing turnovers in dangerous positions.
The opening stages could be especially important. A strong start from Galatasaray would energise the home crowd and test Barcelona's composure, while an early goal for the visitors could force Buruk's team to take additional risks and potentially create further attacking opportunities for Flick's players.
Barcelona's experience of dominating domestic matches will be valuable, but they must also be prepared for periods when the opposition attempt to dictate the intensity. European away fixtures frequently demand patience and tactical flexibility, even from teams that arrive in outstanding form.
For Galatasaray, the greatest challenge will be sustaining their planned aggression without losing defensive balance. Pressing effectively requires coordination across the entire team, and the spaces created by unsuccessful challenges can be difficult to recover against technically gifted attackers.
Both coaches will therefore be seeking more than isolated moments of individual quality. Collective movement, defensive organisation and the ability to manage changes in momentum are likely to be important features of a contest that both clubs have described as a major occasion.
Barcelona aim to turn exceptional form into European success
Beyond Tuesday's result, the encounter forms part of a wider test of Barcelona's ambitions. Their excellent start to the domestic season has increased expectations, but the Champions League remains a particularly important objective because of the club's long wait for another European crown.
Laporta believes the current squad have the talent and mentality required to challenge for every competition. His praise for Flick and Deco demonstrates confidence in the direction of the sporting project, while his comments about the dressing-room atmosphere suggest that he sees collective motivation as one of the team's greatest strengths.
However, the president also recognises that European success cannot be guaranteed simply by playing attractive football. PSG, Bayern and other potential challengers possess considerable quality, and Barcelona will need to maintain their performances across a demanding schedule if they hope to fulfil their ambitions.
Galatasaray represent the next obstacle in that journey. Their defeat against Sporting provides additional motivation to recover, and Buruk has promised an aggressive approach supported by the atmosphere in Istanbul. Torreira has reinforced that message, acknowledging the strength of the visitors while insisting that Galatasaray possess the determination to compete.
The fixture therefore brings together 2 teams with very different positions in the early Champions League standings but a shared desire to make a statement. Barcelona want to demonstrate that their remarkable domestic form can be reproduced away from home in Europe, while Galatasaray hope to prove that even the most impressive opponents can be challenged when they face a determined team in a demanding environment.
For Laporta, the message before kick-off remains one of confidence rather than complacency. He believes Barcelona are currently playing the best football in the world, but he also understands that the quality of the performances must continue to be reflected in results. The club have identified the Champions League as a major target, and another victory would strengthen their early position in the competition.
For Buruk, meanwhile, the opportunity is to turn respect for Barcelona into motivation rather than intimidation. His players know the scale of the task, but they also believe their own attacking ambition, competitive intensity and home support can make the encounter difficult for the visitors.
As Barcelona prepare to step onto the pitch in Istanbul, the challenge is clear. Eight consecutive league victories and an emphatic Champions League opening have established Flick's side as one of Europe's outstanding teams, but their latest test comes against opponents who have openly promised to challenge them rather than simply defend. Whether Barcelona can maintain their exceptional momentum or Galatasaray can produce a response after their opening defeat will be decided on the pitch, in an atmosphere that both clubs expect to be among the most demanding of the European campaign.
