Galatasaray’s ‘Iron Core’ keep title push alive as five players pass 40 games | OneFootball

Galatasaray have ridden an ‘Iron Core’ of five mainstays through injuries and a packed calendar, staying atop the Trendyol Süper Lig while pursuing the Ziraat Turkish Cup.

According to Turkish-Football.com, manager Okan Buruk has relied on this durable group during a gruelling 2025-26 fought across three competitions.

Abdülkerim Bardakcı has made 41 appearances, starting 40, the most dependable figure at centre-back. His pairing with Davinson Sanchez, also on 41 games, has underpinned their domestic dominance.

Barış Alper Yılmaz is the busiest Lion with 44 outings. The Türkiye international has 11 goals and 13 assists, often driving the attack when senior forwards were sidelined.

Lucas Torreira has featured 42 times and Roland Sallai 41. Sallai frequently filled in at right-back during the first half of the season to cover shortages, logging 35 starts and five goal involvements.

An early UEFA Champions League exit to Liverpool shifted focus back to domestic honours. Amid injuries to recent arrivals such as Noa Lang and Yasin Asprilla, this core has kept Galatasaray favourites for a fourth straight league title.

With five league matches remaining, the fitness of this ‘Iron Core’ could decide whether the Lions finish the job and lift the trophy again.

Source: Turkish-Football.com