Galatasaray star showered with praise: 'A true maestro...'

As Galatasaray defeated Başakşehir 2-1 away, İlkay Gündoğan's play was a lesson to be taught in schools. Taking on the role of a free-agent midfielder, İlkay provided the assist for Sane's first goal. The 35-year-old star's passing skills were particularly noteworthy. Wingers, in particular, exploited the spaces created by İlkay and created positions in the opposition penalty area. The star player quickly captivated fans and neutrals alike.

Manager Okan Buruk said, "He's a true leader on the pitch," Sane said, "He's a great footballer," and Jakobs said, "I admire him." Former commentator Tugay Kerimoğlu said, "İlkay is someone who guides his teammates in the right direction." Nihat Kahveci commented, "He's a true maestro. Even at 40, he still makes passes like that," while Volkan Demirel added, "İlkay knows football very well."