The Lions return to winning ways

After drawing 1-1 with Cluj in the Champions League, Galatasaray returned to winning ways in the Süper Lig against Kayeserispor.

The Lions scored in the seventh minute, Hamit crossed the ball to Bulut who headed the ball passed the Kayeserispor keeper. Soon after Brazilian striker Bobô took advantage of an intercepted pass from Reira, however Muslera scrambled the ball in time to prevent the Brazilian from scoring.

Galatasaray made it two nil in the thirty second minute of the first half, Cris heading the ball past  Kayeserispor keeper Ertuğrul Taşkıran from a well delivered Selçuk İnan freekick.

Four minutes later, İnan sent a through ball to Yılmaz who then made in three for the Lions. Galatasaray had many other opportunities to increase their lead, Eboué was unlucky to make it four nil for the home side after making a darting run from the right hand side and cutting in passed the Kayeserispor defense, unfortunately for the Ivorian his shot went wide.

Yılmaz could have got his second in the game, Amrabat was left open to sprint with the ball after a  Kayeserispor corner was cleared, he passed the ball to Yılmaz who looked  certain to score from close range. However, his shot went wide, it was another game where Galatasaray had made many chances but failed to convert, on the plus side they continue to create chances and this week in the Süper Lig they played a lot better compared with their last two performances. 

The lions face will face city neighbours  İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediye Spor Kulübü at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium on Friday.

GALATASARAY: Muslera, Eboué, Riera, Nounkeu, Cris, Kurtulus,Altintop (Sarıoğlu 70th minute), Amrabat, Inan (Gülselam 84th minute), Bulut (Çolak 76th minute),Yılmaz.

The heavens open at the Türk Telekom Arena

The Lions got their first point in their Champions League campaign against CFR Cluj.

The rain caused havoc for the players who had to try an adapt to playing on a water-logged pitch, however this did not hinder the visitors who scored in the nineteenth minute, Dany scoring an unfortunate own goal.

The Railwaymen went down to ten men after going one nil up, the Lions were unable to capitalise on their man advantage with Melo missing a penalty.

It seemed that Cluj adapted to the wet conditions better at times, this was evident it the early minutes of the game, Eboue gave too much space to Comora on the left hand side and found Bastos in the area, luckily for Galatasaray the Brazilian's effort went wide.

The Lions played good football despite the water-logged conditions and had their first shot around the 14th minute. Altintop's twenty-yard effort was saved by Cluj's keeper Mário Felgueiras.

A few minutes into the second half and Galatasaray failed to make the most of a golden opportunity that yet again went begging. Amrabat picked out Bulut in front of goal, unfortunately the Turkish international failed to connect with the ball as it skidded off the water-logged pitch.

With just thirteen minutes to go, the Lions finally equalised, Amrabat's cross to Yılmaz (who replaced Elmander due to an injury) nodded the ball into the back of the net. This was Galatasaray's first goal that they had scored in the Champions League so far this season.

The Lions remain bottom of the group, Cluj move into second place in Group H, whilst Portuguese side Braga move into third place. Both sides will face each other again on the 7th of November at the Dr. Constantin Rădulescu Stadium.

GALATASARAY: Muslera, Eboue, (Sabri 68th minute), Semih, Dany, Riera, Hamit,  (Burak Yılmaz 39th minute), Selçuk, Melo, Amrabat, Umut, Elmander ( Emre Çolak 42nd minute)

Galatasaray Vs. Cluj

This will be the Lions third Group H Champions League match, this time against Transilvanian side CFR Cluj. 

The Lions will be hungry for a win tonight after losing their first two matches in the group; Galatasaray as mentioned in many posts will have to sort their defending out in order to win the game. The Istanbul side have not been playing badly, in both their last Champions League matches they have been dominant and created many chances.

Terim will go for his preferred 4-4-2 formation, Dany is still replacing Tomas Ujfalusi, and Eboue and Balta are on their usual right back and left back positions respectively.

The Ivorian has played well on the right flank and no doubt Terim will want him to track back when needed and close down the Cluj attack.

On the opposite side of the pitch is where there has been some issues for Galatasaray, as we have seen in recent matches this season, Amrabat at times has failed to close down the opposition and this has resulted in many errors especially when Balta has been chasing the opposition (Balta seems to lack pace).

If this is an issue tonight, Terim can select either Reira or Çolak; the good news as previously mentioned is that the Lions have dominated in both Group H games so far, hopefully they can do the same tonight.

In attack, Swedish international Johan Elmander and Bulut will partner each other with the option of   Yılmaz to come on, the Turkish international will need to up the ante in European games as Galatasaray have failed to score a goal in the competition so far. 

The Lions will go out with a fighting spirit and this is a game they cannot afford to lose since they are sitting bottom of Group H.

Probable line up: Muslera, Eboue, Semih, Dany, Riera, Hamit, Selçuk, Melo, Amrabat, Umut, Elmander.  

The wind of Ankara nearly blows the Lions off course

Galatasaray were held to a 3-3 draw in the Turkish capital against Gençlerbirliği at the Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadium.

Ankara Rüzgârı (The wind of Ankara), took the lead in the 26th minute, Costa Rican Randall Azofeifa beautifully struck the ball from the inside of the eighteen yard box to make it one nil to the home side.

Terim made some tactical changes in the second half, Yılmaz came off and was replaced by Bulut, Eboue was substituted for Aydın Yılmaz. Altıntop moved into his Ivorian team mate's place at right back.

At the start of the second half, Galatasaray started to progress, Bulut equalised for the visitors in the early minutes of the second half. Amrabat's cross was headed off by Elmander who gave Bulut a golden opportunity to slot the ball passed the Gençlerbirliği keeper.

After equalising, it looked like Galatasaray were in the driving seat and were able to take control and go on and win the game after Elmander put the Lions in front. However the home side equalised in the 67th minute, Aykut slid in from a cross and beat Muslera to make the score even.

Three minutes later Jimmy Durmaz put the homeside ahead, the former Malmö player volleyed home the third goal from a Muslera clearance. Galatasaray again showed that defending this season so far has been their downfall and their positioning has cost them dearly.

The Lions were saved near the end of the second half, Balta scoring from close range to give the visitors a point to go home with.

Despite drawing with the Ankara side, the Lions are still top but only on goal difference. Tomorrow the Istanbul club will play their third Group H Champions League match against Romanian side Cluj.

GALATASARAY: Muslera, Eboue, (Aydın 57th minute), Dany, Semih, Hakan, Hamit, Emre, Melo, Amrabat, Burak (Umut 46th minute), Elmander.

Galatasaray fail at the last hurdle once again

The Lions once again failed to capitalise on converting chances against Eskisehirspor and drew with the Eskişehir club 1-1.

Despite having over sixty percent of the possession as well as creating seventeen chances on goal, Galatasaray were unable to beat the visitors. This is the second consecutive time now at home where the Lions have dominated but have failed to overcome their opponents (the Braga game was similar).

Yilmaz scored for the home side in the 59th minute, his shot went in off the post to give Galatasaray the lead. Eskisehirspor left it very late in the game to score, Erkan Zengin equalised for the visitors, Muslera made 3-4 saves from close range and Zengin was at the right place at the right to time to slot the ball passed the Uruguayan international.

The Istanbul club still lead in Süper Lig, Orduspor who beat Galatasaray last week are one point behind.

In round eight of the Süper Lig, Galatasaray travel to the capital to play Gençlerbirliği and will be looking to sustain their top position in the league.

GALATASARAY: Muslera, Eboue, Cris, Dany, Riera, Hamit, Selçuk (Sercan 90th minute), Melo (Amrabat 57th minute), Emre, Umut (Yekta 78th minute), Burak.

Braga's arsenal wounds the Lions

The Lions lost their second consecutive Group H match, this time to Portuguese side SC Braga.

It was obvious from looking at Fatih Terim throughout the game that he was frustrated with the amount of chances his side were making and not converting these chances into goals.

Braga looked dangerous on the right hand side and countered Galatasaray's vulnerable side, on loan midfielder Ruben Micael scored in the 27th minute to put the visitors in front.

A few minutes later Guinea-Bissauan born Éder almost made it two nil for the Arsenalistas, Muslera prevented the striker from scoring and made an essential save to give Braga a corner.

In the second half the Lions again dominated the game and again had many opportunities to score, Yilmaz had a few efforts from a header that went inches wide and another effort that hit the bar.

Braga got their second goal with about a minute to spare, Éder crossed the ball to Alan who scored from close range.

The positives that Galatasaray can look at from this game is the way in which they controlled the game from start to finish, however, the Melo-Inan partnership didn't seem to work particularly well with Melo lacking match fitness and Inan just didn't play as well from what have seen of him so far in the Süper Lig. 

Furthermore, players such Bulut were surprisingly quiet and Nordin Amrabat gave too much space for the opposition to counter attack. 

The Lions are bottom of Group H with no points, however it isn't over for the Istanbul club who still have the opportunity to qualify for the next group stage.

GALATASARAY: Muslera, Eboue, Dany, Semih, Riera, Emre, (Yekta 78th minute), Melo (Elmander 76th minute), Selçuk, Amrabat, (Aydın 46th minute), Burak, Umut.

Galatasaray lose to high flying Orduspor

The Lions travelled to the northern province of Ordu on Friday and were beaten two nil by high flying Orduspor.

The Ordu club went ahead by what could be a contender for goal of the season from an excellent Hasan Kabze bicycle kick. 

Galatasaray tried to get back into the game and started to dominate, however, the home side scored again in the 67th minute. Hasan Kabze set up Romanian striker Bogdan Stancu who was in a perfect position to dribble round the Lion's defense and slot the ball pass Muslera to make it two nil to Orduspor.   

This is now Orduspor's fourth win of the 2012/2013 Süper Lig season, the Mor Menekşe (purple violets) so far have a 100% winning record at home this season and sit in the third place. Galatasaray remain top despite losing. 

GALATASARAY: Muslera, Eboue, Semih, Cris, Hakan Balta, Hamit (Aydın 17th minute), Melo, Selçuk, Amrabat  (Emre 61st minute), Elmander (Umut 62nd minute), Burak.