Turkish Delights : Galatasaray

One-sided European matches and one-sided training ground scraps

Sefa Atay — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 09:30:00 GMT

"So how is it that this team managed to win the league last year?" The million dollar question I was asked by a fellow journalist during the Valencia – Bursaspor match on Wednesday evening.

By this point, Bursa were 5-0 down and on their way to a 6-1 drubbing at the Mestalla. The sarcastic nature of the question was well and truly deserved.

Surprisingly, the Turkish side did start well and could have gone ahead if Sercan Yildirim had not choked when through one on one with Moya. I guess this was even more evidence that one of last season’s top strikers is seriously suffering from a lack of form.

From there on in it was all downhill. Juan Mata got the ball rolling from the spot after Omer Erdogan upended Aduriz. Goals from Soldado and Aduriz made it three before Joaquin’s sublime curling effort – all before half time.

A couple of changes to the Bursa back line failed to make any difference and Soldado grabbed his second shortly after the re start.

The travelling faithful, who had by this time become very quiet, were provided with a piece of history to go home with, as Pablo Batalla marked his introduction with Bursa’s first ever European goal.

Dominguez completed the rout and Ertugrul Saglam’s three minute press conference summed up the mood.

The manager was clear with his words and did not hesitate to hold his hands up. “Nobody should feel responsible for this result other than me. We have two games against Kayseri and Besiktas and it’s up to me to prepare my team so we stay in touch with the leaders.”

As if second against third was exciting enough, there is also the small matter of an Istanbul derby on Sunday night.

Before Bursa – Kayseri on Monday evening, Galatasaray and Besiktas will lock horns in the ‘battle of the struggling giants’ with both sides considerably in need of three points.

History does not favour Besiktas, who have lost 11 league matches at the Ali Sami Yen in the last 12 years. Their only win in that period came in 2002/03 when they went onto the claim the league title.

That said, the Black Eagles need not worry about that record too much longer, with Galatasaray moving to their new Turk Telekon Arena (above) in the New Year.

The news from the Cimbom camp is that Arda Turan will not feature as he recovers from a groin operation. However, Gheorghe Hagi was given a boost this week with Milan Baros returning to training. Whether or not he will be available for the weekend is still unknown but promising signs none the less.

Istanbul B.B (5th) and Fenerbahce (4th) meet on Saturday with the victors set take a step closer to the top. Yet things haven’t been entirely smooth in the Fener camp this week.

The high tempo...or shear madness of Fabio Bilica saw a training altercation between the Brazilian and young defender Caner Erkin (below).

However, a bit like Bursa on Wednesday, Caner didn’t seem to put up much of a fight. Perhaps in this instance that was a good thing…

WEEK 14 FIXTURES Friday Eskisehirspor v Manisaspor Saturday Konyaspor v Kasimpasa, Gaziantepspor v Trabzonspor, Genclerbirligi v Sivasspor, Istanbul BB v Fenerbahce Sunday Karabukspor v Ankaragucu, Bucaspor v Antalyaspor, Galatasaray v Besiktas Monday: Bursaspor v Kayserispor

Jaja no laughing matter for Bursa ahead of Spain trip

Sefa Atay — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:41:00 GMT

Anybody who has ever spent time in Spain will surely know that the Spanish way of describing laughter through text is to write ‘jaja’.

Ironic then that, with a trip to Valencia looming next week, Bursaspor are probably already sick of the two syllable word.

That's because Jaja is also the name of Trabzonspor’s Brazilian striker and the man responsible for two goals in the opening 16 minutes that consigned Bursa to defeat and put Trabzon back in pole position in the title race.

Saturday’s meeting between the reigning league champions and the domestic cup holders has more than certified Trabzon’s title ambitions. Senol Gunes’s boys have provided the most entertainment so far this season and boast a goal difference of +21 - even better than Chelsea’s!

On Friday night Kayserispor briefly held top spot after a last gasp win at Konyaspor. Marcelo Zalayeta scored the game’s only goal and ensured his side stayed within two points of the leaders as well as maintaining the blog’s David Haye-like belief that they will finish in the top four!

Like every one before it, this weekend was full of ups and downs – the ups coming from the east and the downs, generally, from Istanbul.
Having won the first of their ‘must-win’ five games Fenerbahce were perfectly on course to continue their run before two late goals left them as empty handed as Fabio Capello in shooting practice and, similarly to the Italian, much to their own fault.

A tendency to drop points despite going ahead has been their down fall and it was reported that Aykut Kocaman dished out some ‘strong words’ following this weekend’s loss. Scary stuff!

Goldilocks (that's Guti to you, and yes guys, the hair is growing back) put last week’s penalty miss behind him with a spot kick that pushed Besiktas within a point of Fenerbahce.

The Black Eagles were described as being in ‘free-fall’ after their cup loss to 2nd Division side B.B.Gaziantep – a game which even saw Ricardo Quaresma nailed by his own team mate.

Galatasaray manager Gheorghe Hagi has admitted that the league title ‘is very far away’ following a hapless defeat at the Ali Sami Yen.

Hagi has managed just four points from four games despite starting his reign with a very promising draw at Fenerbahce.

Since, his side have proceeded to win just one game and have now lost two on the bounce leaving them in 10th position and 13 points of leaders Trabzonspor.

No surprise then that they left the pitch amid a mixture of boos and swearing on Sunday evening as Manisaspor became the third side this season to win at a stadium which is beginning to lose its ‘Hellish’ reputation.

And finally, avid followers of the blog - I know you are out there somewhere - may remember a little wish that Kasimpasa would keep faith with Yilmaz Vural for his all round entertainment value.

Since then, Kasimpasa picked up a draw at Besiktas and continued their rise with a 2-1 victory over relegation rivals Sivasspor this weekend to put them within touching distance of the safety zone.

Who said journalists knew nothing...?

RESULTS Konyaspor 1-1 Kayserispor, Bucaspor 0-0 Ankaragücü, Bucaspor 0-0 Ankaragücü, Bursaspor 0-2 Trabzonspor, Eskisehirspor 0-0 Antalyaspor, Gaziantepspor 2-1 Fenerbahce, Kasimpasa 2-0 Sivasspor, Genclerbirligi 0-2, Istanbul BB 2-1 Karabükspor, Galatasaray 0-2 Manisaspor.

Guti far from spot on as Trabzonspor reach the summit

Sefa Atay — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 10:44:00 GMT

And then it happened...with two strikes of Umut Bulut’s right boot, Trabzonspor were propelled to the top of the league, displacing Bursaspor, and opening a chasm of 10 points between themselves and their defeated visitors Galatasaray.

Cimbom have since been written off as title challengers, while Trabzon continue to improve under Senol Gunes.

Last year’s cup winners have shown an unusual amount of consistency in reaching the top with victories over Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray – all teams who have proved stumbling blocks to them in previous seasons.

However, their time at the top may be short lived with a trip to Bursaspor this weekend.

The Crocodiles are in desperate need of a win amid a dip in form that has seen them draw their last two games, with question marks over their strength in depth beginning to arise.

An impressive 48 goals between them so far this season suggests the clash between the top two should be a corker, with two Turkish legends coming face to face in the dugout.

It's all movement at the moment and third place Kayserispor could temporarily steal top spot if they claim all three points in Friday night’s game at Konyaspor.

Kayseri missed out on the chance to go ahead of Bursa after a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Genclerbirligi.

In Istanbul the mixed fortunes of the Big Three continue. Cimbom’s loss at Trabzon keeps them in ninth while Besiktas, and in particular Guti, suffered an embarrassing weekend after failing to beat Kasimpasa.

With just three points all season, Kasimpasa have cemented themselves to the bottom of the league but took the lead at the Inonu Stadium with Ersen Martin’s header.

A deflected Ismail Koybasi shot put Besiktas level but Kasimpasa keeper Tolga Ozgen had the last laugh as he saved Guti’s penalty in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

As the blog noted last week, Pasa manager Yilmaz Vural is touch line viewing at its best and didn't disappoint, kissing referee Bulent Yildirim’s hand after the full time whistle.

While Vural has saved his job for another week, the pressure on Bernd Schuster continues to build.

Besiktas have just four points from their last five league games and are in danger of losing touch with the front runners.

While the return of Ricardo Quaresma will help ease some of the pain, with just six games left until the winter break (and the blogs holiday), the Black Eagles can ill afford to drop anymore points.

On the other side of the Bosphorus, Fenerbahce powered past Eskisehirspor thanks to two goals from Semih Senturk who, as I type, has taken his tally to four in three games with a goal against Ankaragucu in the cup.

With thick mist limiting visibility on Saturday, both sides were forced to play the second half with 10 men after an altercation between card happy Diego Lugano and Sener Ozturk in the tunnel provided each player with an early bath.

More worryingly for Aykut Kocaman was the sight of Emre limping off. The injury prone midfielder has been in fantastic form this season but could be out for up to a month with reports suggesting a ‘deep tear’ in his hamstring.

I guess some things just never change.

Bursaspor take giant leap as the Big Three falter historically

Sefa Atay — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 10:10:00 GMT

Turkey's titanic trio are all outside the top three for the first time after 10 games, reveals Sefa Atay...

They say there's a fine line between success and failure. If that line can be crossed with a single step then Semih Senturk certainly proved so this weekend.

Far from a tap-in, Semih’s goal was proof once again that Fenerbahce have long ignored a proven goalscorer while wasting millions on the likes of Mateja Kezman, Nicolas ‘Le Sulk’ Anelka and Dani Guiza.

While the rest of the players in the Bursaspor box stood and watched as Emre’s pass floated to the back post, Semih took one step in anticipation that maybe, just maybe, Alex De Souza’s volley might fall into his path. And so it did. And Fenerbahce were ahead.

Unfortunately, it was not enough to give last year’s runners up all three points as they immediately resorted to sitting back in the second half with Ivan Ergic’s goal ensuring a share of the points in arguably the game of the season so far.

On Tuesday night, Bursa welcome an unpredictable and very out-of-pocket Manchester United with their European adventure hanging by a thread. It will also provide the club with their fourth opportunity to record their first-ever goal in Europe...

THE CHASING PACK
Back on the home front, Besiktas, Galatasaray, Trabzonspor and Kayserispor all gained ground on the leaders as they registered 2-1 victories.

Following his side's promising draw at Fenerbahce, a debut home victory for Gala gaffer Gheorghe Hagi went down well with Guti once again pulling the strings as the Black Eagles beat struggling Sivasspor.

The absence of any of Istanbul’s ‘Big Three’ in the top three league positions after 10 games is something never before seen, according to the brains in the statistics room. With Bursaspor, Trabzonspor and Kayserispor nicely nestled in the box seats, it's yet another encouraging sign for teams previously seen to be simply making up the numbers.

That leaves Fenerbahce in fourth, Galatasaray sixth and Besiktas eighth - and who can complain after decades of predictability? Long may it continue…

RESULTS Fri 29 Bursaspor 1-1 Fenerbahce Sat 30 Eskisehirspor 0-0 Ankaragücü, Gaziantepspor 0-0 Karabükspor, Galatasaray 2-1 Antalyaspor Sun 31 Genclerbirligi 2-0 Manisaspor, Kasimpasa 1-2 Kayserispor, Bucaspor 0-2 Istanbul BB, Besiktas 2-1 Sivasspor Mon 1 Konyaspor 1-2 Trabzonspor

THE ENTERTAINER
At the other end of the table, Kasimpasa are getting worryingly close to losing touch with the 17 teams above them.

Manager Yilmaz Vural's touchline antics would leave South America’s finest in the shade and, in an age where many managers barely bother to smile, it would be a shame to lose one of Turkish football's finest entertainers.

With only two points from 10 games, to say he was walking on thin ice would be a huge understatement. Next up? A trip to Besiktas! Who’d be a manager…

AND FINALLY
Bursaspor-Fener was briefly held up when a cat came on the pitch…

Hagi feeling that Samba sound

Sefa Atay — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 10:03:00 GMT

Strange things happened on Sunday night, not least the sight of the Galatasaray fans signing jubilantly, lighting flares and jumping up and down following their sides 0-0 draw at Fenerbahce.

While others have highlighted these celebrations as a signal of how far the club has fallen, many simply saw it as a display of relief and a belief that the winds of fortune have finally changed.

Cimbom had, of course, failed to get even a single point at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium over the previous decade, but their performance on Sunday was one that arguably deserved even more.

The return of a legend could be just what the club needs in order to climb back up the table.

Hagi wasted no time in shaking things up despite taking just two training sessions prior to the game. His first job involved reinstating players who had fallen out with Mr.Fickle - Frank Rijkaard.

Hagi and assistant Tugay have already made a positive impact

Servet Cetin and Serkan Kurtulus were both back in the side, but it was the return of a certain Brazilian that will have pleased the travelling fans most.

Elano, a regular choice for Brazil during last summer’s World Cup, had become the forgotten man at Cimbom. Not only did Hagi put him straight back in first XI, he also played him in the position that saw him notch two goals in as many games in South Africa.

On the right of midfield Elano looked very accomplished twice the player who had often shied out of games when surrounded by opposition players in the centre of midfield.

He opened up the Fenerbahce defence on a number of occasions and, with the outside of his right boot, provided the game’s best opportunity for Juan Pablo Pino.

If Hagi and Cimbom are to succeed, it is players like Elano that the Romanian will hope to hold on to.

*****************************

For Fenerbahce, this weekend will provide an opportunity to exact some sort of revenge.

The yellow canaries travel to Bursa to face the league leaders on Friday night and will be hoping to close to gap on the side who pipped them to the title last season.

If they are to do it then they will have to do it the hard way. Ozer Hurmaci, Mamadou Niang and Issiar Dia will all miss the trip through injury while Diego Lugano will be serving a one-match ban.

The absentees could see a return to the starting line up for Colin Kazim Richards/Kazim Kazim/CKR8 or whatever he prefers to be called these days…

Colin 'Kazim Kazim' Kazim-Richards is back in the frame

The former Sheffield United winger has worked himself back in to contention after a controversial pre-season, and even made an appearance in last week’s Derby, albeit a brief one.

Semih Senturk could also start for Fener and will be another player desperate to prove a point.

*****************************

When it comes to predicting league champions in Turkey, it has traditionally been a three horse race.

Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray have dominated domestically for years. That was until Bursaspor turned up.

This season could see a six horse race. The usual suspects from Istanbul will be in the mix come May, while Bursaspor are again setting the early pace.

After winning the Turkish Cup last season Trabzonspor have excelled under Senol Gunes and currently boast an impressive goal scoring record having scored 14 in just four home games.

However, if there is a dark horse in this race then that accolade should rightly go to Kayserispor. Not short of money and with an impressive new stadium, the boys in red and yellow have already beaten Fenerbahce and Besiktas at home this season.

While it may be a season too early to challenge for the top, don’t be surprised to see them proving a tough cookie to crack over the coming months.

Fixtures Bursaspor v Fenerbahce, Eskisehirspor v Ankaragucu, Gaziantepspor v Karabukspor, Galatasaray v Antalyaspor, Genclerbirligi v Manisaspor, Kasimpasa v Kayserispor, Bucaspor v Istanbul BB, Besiktas v Sivasspor, Konyaspor v Trabzonspor.

Hagi limits damage as Cimbom hold Fener

Sefa Atay — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:51:00 GMT

It’s the day after the much anticipated derby and my feeling of disappointment has just turned to shock.

As I reel through the morning papers I can’t help but notice Fanatik’s dedication of NINE pages to last night’s derby. Nine whole pages on a 0-0 draw and arguably the least exciting derby of the last decade.

It isn’t until I flick through that I realise each page consists predominantly of an article surrounded by adverts for cars, televisions and credit cards. Relief.
Now it’s my turn to make what I can of last night’s game between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.

First things first, the game was as aesthetically pleasing as James Corden in Speedos...on a treadmill...in a desert – that is unless of course you are a Sunday league defender who values head tennis, crunching tackles and minimal flair as quality football.

Without Milan Baros, Arda Turan and Harry Kewell at his disposal, Hagi was forced to set his team up in a 4-6-0 formation with attacking midfielder Juan Pablo Pino playing the lone striker role.

Credit to the Romanian, it was a formation that saw Galatasaray dominate the first half with Fenerbahce failing to force goalkeeper Aykut into a single save.

An initial damage limitation mentality suddenly turned in to optimism and, with Elano back in the starting line up having previously fallen out with Frank Rijkaard, Hagi’s men began to create chances - kind of.

It was the Brazilian who set Pino running for the game’s best chance. The impressive Colombian rounded Volkan only to see his shot hooked off the line by Gokhan Gonul.

Cimbom’s midfield trio of Ayhan, Cana and Mustafa Sarp continued to close every gap, preventing any balls through to Alex, while Lucas Neill battled with Mamadou Niang.

The Australian was booked in the first half and could quite easily have been sent off in the second half as Fenerbahce upped the tempo. Despite an improved start to the second period, Fener still failed to create any clear cut opportunities.

With 20 minutes left Kocaman removed Alex for Semih and Fenerbahce seemed to lose the momentum that they had started to build up. The Fenerbahce captain was way below his best but could have provided a constant threat from set pieces during the closing period.

As it was the game petered out with very little else worthy of note. Pino’s 93rd minute shot worried the home fans but Volkan’s smart save prevented any sort of embarrassment and ensured a share of the points.

The Fenerbahce players trudged off as though they had lost while the Cimbom fans rejoiced over their point as if they had won.

Well, it has been 10 years so who can blame them!

Derby day looms for...somebody

Sefa Atay — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 10:54:00 GMT

Outraged, abused and let down - three phrases to sum up the blog’s feelings right now.

Having slaved away on Tuesday evening, one eye on Ronaldinho in Madrid and the other on the computer screen, Galatasaray officials were preparing for a press conference that would ruin a whole article.

After a strong drink and several deep breaths the blog can inform with renewed inspiration that Galatasaray manager Frank Rijkaard has been relieved of his duties just days before the super clasico of all clasico derbies at Fenerbahce.

This wise move comes off the back of a weekend in which everybody associated with Cimbom suffered an evening of humiliation...and a 4-2 home defeat to Ankaragucu.

Hardly the morale boost needed for a team already in the knowledge that they have failed to win on enemy soil in over a decade. Let alone without a permanent manager!

Given this rush of news, it is probably better that I find myself writing this while thousands of feet in the air en route to Istanbul with just a handful of morning papers to flick through – all of which had no idea of the Dutchman’s departure when going to print on Tuesday night.

Fatih Terim – who I’m told rejected an offer to take over on Wednesday – was the afternoon favourite along with Cimbom legend Gheorghe Hagi.

If reports are to be believed, the Romanian’s appointment move would also see the arrival of a number of players from the 2000 Uefa Cup winning side - namely Ergun Penbe, Hasan Sas and Tugay Kerimoglu who has taken over temporary charge.

Aside from pre-derby palaver there is the small matter of a Europa League tie involving Besiktas and Porto. It will be a special night for Ricardo Quaresma who will be looking to get one over a former club.

The Portuguese is still a doubt for tomorrow’s game, but this blog senses that a series of tactical injections will see the dazzling winger take his place and continue stepping over...and over...and over.

A mention of Europe would not be complete without reference to Bursaspor - however depressing it may be – who once again pleased the pessimists.

Ertugrul Saglam claimed his side ‘had a chance’ before the game, a feeling dashed by Nani’s impressive strike that kept the Green Crocodiles rock bottom of group C.

Six against - zero for in Europe....and counting.

Sometimes a little bit of hope is all you need. It is something, however, that Frank Rijkaard ran out of a while ago.

STOP PRESS: Since this blog was published, Galatasaray have confirmed Gheorghe Hagi as their new manager...

Big three not having things their own way

Sefa Atay — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:45:00 GMT

If TD was a betting blog, it would most certainly have not won any money this weekend.

A surprise is not uncommon in the Super Lig, however, even with an aggressive scratch of the head, the blog is failing to recall a weekend when all of the ‘big three’ lost. In fact, it has been a weekend where the ‘big three’ – Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray – are potentially in danger of losing their status in favour of the ‘big two’. The two being Bursaspor and Trabzonspor.

Having spent last Thursday evening in the away end at Anfield, TD was fairly sure that Fenerbahce would not come away with much from Monday night’s league encounter with Trabzon. Senol Gunes’ side took a 2-0 lead within twenty minutes only for Fenerbahce to grab a goal back. Another goal a piece made the half time score 3-2 and that was how it stayed thanks to Fenerbahce goalkeeper Mert who saved a well struck Gustavo Colman penalty.

The weekends other glamour tie saw Champions Bursa visit the infamous Ali Sami Yen. Derelict it may be but the UltraAslan still know how to create an atmosphere. It is just a shame Frank Rijkaard's men cannot repay the favour. A 2-0 defeat left Galatasaray in the relegation zone and many question marks surrounding the futures of Rijkaard and Chairman Adnan Polat. It may only be the second week of the season, but sooner rather than later seems to be the call from the stands.

The real shock of the weekend occurred at the Inonu Stadium. Despite the best efforts of Ricardo Quaresma – the only player to still be cheered at the end of the game – Besiktas failed to score against neighbours Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor and suffered a slightly embarrassing 2-0 loss.

Belediye took the lead early on before ex Besiktas striker Ibrahim Akin scored their second in injury time. With Goldilocks presumably tired or having a haircut, Schuster waited for just over an hour to introduce his only player to have ever been a REAL galactico. Guti twisted, turned and picked out a couple of tidy passes but was unable to save his team.

Elsewhere, the Robinho saga took another twist this evening with the player stating that, despite holding the Turkish league in high regard, his career belongs in Europe, and in particular Italy or Spain.

Given that no clubs from either country have been linked with the Brazilian, it may be a ‘come and get me’ plea that will go unanswered. Besiktas are, of course, situated on the European side of Istanbul but it seems they have conceded defeat after failing to find a company willing to invest £28 million on a liability waiting to happen. Presumably opting for a British bank as a more reliable option.

And finally, hopes are high in Trabzon for the visit of Liverpool this week. Having held out to return to Turkey with a promising 1-0 deficit, fans and club a-like share a genuine belief that the team can progress. So much so that chairman Sadri Sener has even devised a cunning tactic of his own.

Upon stating his wish that the team write themselves into the history books, Sener claimed that he also hopes his team don’t score an early goal. The blog is not sure what type of psychology that comes under but, having witnessed Liverpool against Manchester City, is rather looking forward to the prospect of a very big upset. Fingers crossed.

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