performance of the year leads Fenerbahçe over Galatasaray
By: j | November 9th, 2008
Following a reaffirming tough draw against Arsenal in London, Fenerbahçe continued with a brilliant performance as they defeated rival Galatasaray 4-1. It was a remarkable turnaround for the club that has had so many problems this year and once the celebrating dies down, we can only hope that this type of plan and passion for success will continue.
Sukru Saracoglu was hushed in disbelief as Lincoln opened the scoring for Michael Skibbe’s club only two minutes after the opening whistle. However that was the last goal the opposition scored as the Yellow Canaries scored four unanswered goals. Galatasaray’s lead only last four minutes as Selçuk 
Şahin was left unmarked on a corner and edged the ball in. Two minutes before the half-hour mark, Turkish international Emre Aşık was the unfortunate victim of a own goal as his attempted clearance of cross ended up in the back of net. With a 2-1 lead both clubs were highly aggressive and as you can imagine with a derby of no greater magnitude, the challenges were fierce.
Four minutes after the break the rebound of a Robert Carlos free-kick was poached on by Diego Lugano to double the lead. The physical aspect of the match increased notably with players on both sides pushing the tolerance with referees. There was no quit in Galatasaray as evidenced by the passion that Servet Çetin patrolled the defense but they couldn’t find the attacking touch to get back into the match. As the match was winding down Deivid’s long distance drive made in 4-1. There will be a lot to be said of this match as certainly both managers are under-fire. Michael Skibbe’s choice to leave Harry Kewell out of the lineup till the break was perplexing to say the least must less resisting to pair him with the brilliant Czech Republic striker Milan Baroš. However from a Fenerbahçe vantage this is a great victory that must be a catalyst for turning the campaign around.
Fenerbahçe returns to Süper Lig action as they welcome Ankaraspor to Şükrü Saracoğlu this Saturday.
Category: Fenerbahce Team News
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Comments
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Congratulations on the win. I have criticized Fener’s defense many times over the year but the last two matches have shown me wrong.
I think what is important about the Arsenal and Galatasaray matches is that it showed that this team can in fact go on with out Alex (who turns 32 soon).
Posted from
United States
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Thanks for the write-up, j.
What FB did different was actually fight for every ball in the midfield. I could not believe it. Selcuk-Josico played very well. Gokhan and Carlos were also much better than the rest of the season. This is important as Aragones wants to set up the defense close to the midfield and we actually conceded many goals because of through balls passed behind the defensive line. The wing backers’ speed and overall game is very important.
Those that are unworthy fans of the beautiful game will talk about luck, etc. But the truth is you need to want it enough. Yesterday we actually did. Hopefully, this will turn the season around. Because we have the potential. We can still win the league as other rivals have not been doing that well this year either. I don’t think those other than the big 3 can bring together the right mentality to win it all.
We also need to beat Porto. It will be tight to at least continue on the UEFA Cup, but it is doable.
Posted from
United States -
Lucky strike.3 goals were only mistakes done by Galatasaray players or chance.That doesnt happen all the time.As I’ve mentioned in my post before the derby,at saturday night,the reason why football is so beautiful is because it is not even.Of course,that doesnt mean Fenerbahce players did not played well.You were well organized in the midfield.Guiza,Josico and Lugano were best 3 of 11 due to my view.Absence of Alex affected your striking ability,4 goals are not a measure if you concern 3 as luck.But ironically,absence of Alex also affected your defence and midfield,purely positive.You’re now playing more collective and safer than ever.But how will you strike without that luck?Oh,that will be concerning for you.Whatever,gratz for your win,it was a great pleasure to watch a good Fenerbahçe-Galatasaray derby.
Posted from
United States -
Musab my friend, thank you for the kind words. It certainly was Fenerbahçe crowning moment of the year and if this makes sense, what I was most pleased was that they played with honour and gave it everything they had. To me that might be the most impressive thing. I also must admit that I enjoy watching Servet Çetin play and appreciate the soul he plays with.
Sporel, thank you so much for joining in and I appreciate your comments. I agree with you completely with your summary and I think you put it perfectly – it really was how each blade of grass was fought for.
Ozzy, I certainly understand what you mean and there is a great deal of work to be done. I’m a advocate of an older approach where you force your opponents offense by presenting your defense. Fenerbahçe has only started to do that recently and hopefully it will continue.
Thank you
Posted from
Bulgaria
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