Galatasaray coach explains why facing Barcelona ‘is like going to the dentist’

Ismael García, assistant manager at Turkish giants Galatasaray, revealed an amusing take on the challenge of facing Hansi Flick’s Barcelona on Monday.

This of course comes as Gala prepare to play host to the rampant Blaugrana tomorrow evening.

In one of the headline fixtures of the gameweek in the Champions League, the reigning Turkish champions will welcome their Spanish counterparts to Istanbul, for what is expected to be an action-packed affair on Tuesday.

Visitors Barca head into the matchup as the most in-form team in Europe, boasting nine wins from nine to open the 2026/27 campaign.

Not only that, but the Catalans have been scoring goals for fun, tearing opposing backlines to shreds courtesy of a unique blend of guile, technical excellence and explosive physical attributes.

Speaking during an appearance in front of the media on Monday, the aforementioned Ismael García was therefore drawn on the challenge awaiting Galatasaray in 24 hours’ time.

And the Spaniard’s response proved an amusing one, as García explained:

“Playing against Barça is like going to the dentist; you know it’s going to hurt, but you have to go and deal with it as best you can.”

Conor Laird – GSFN