Daniel Güiza is an eternal optimist

By: j | November 3rd, 2008

After three highly forgettable Champions League matches Fenerbahçe is rooted at the bottom of Group G with a single point, two points behind third-place Porto with Arsenal and Dynamo Kyiv in front at seven and five points respectively. In conjunction with recent Süper Lig form including this weekends match where Eskişehirspor played them to a draw even though a man down for most of the match, even those most ardent supporter would find it difficult to be optimistic of their chances to make it through to the “knockout” round is very challenging. That aside, Daniel Güiza is hopeful.

In referring to their dismal play, commented:

“What is happening is that in the last month and a half we have not being playing well.”

“I still have the same hopes. The same thing happened to Liverpool: they had one point from three games and qualified. So I still have hope and the team are playing a lot better now so we can cause a surprise.”

“We didn’t do well and Arsenal, as we all know, play on the counterattack. It’s very difficult but we lost and that match is already forgotten. Here we are in the present. To me it’s very important, especially as it is my first time. You know you’ll be better known when you play in this competition, if you do well. This is a beautiful competition and we have to make the best of it. We are not out of the Champions League yet; we have one point and three matches that we have to win if we want to stay in it.”

I appreciate the optimism but this is a pithy press-conference statement, driven by clichés and the only reason I posted it was to comment on how ridiculous it is. While it is mathematically possible for Fenerbahçe to qualify for the knockout round, before they advance to being one of the best clubs in Europe they need to play less like a mid-table team in Turkey. They have lacked a serious approach to their matches that is actually insulting to watch. Regardless of the quality work Luis Aragonés has done tactically, mental focus is abysmally low and shouldn’t be a part of a first division team in any league.