Yesterday Galatasaray played bottom side Akhisar Belediyespor at the Manisa 19 Mayis Stadium and extended their lead to the top of the Süper Lig by winning 2-1.
The Lions were still missing Felipe Melo who has been banned for four matches due to allegedly spitting at Beşiktaş player Oğuzhan Özyakup during the Istanbul derby last month. Sabri again started in Eboué's usual position at right back, the Ivorian featured on the bench with Les Éléphants team mate and new signing Didier Drogba.
In the first half the away side dominated and had over seventy percent of possession, however, having Sneijder on the left hand side didn't seem to work even with his decent attempts on goal. In addition, having Melo out is a major blow for the Lions, at times Yekta seemed to be out of position and lacked that much needed attacking flair. In the Lions midfield, the partnership between both Melo and Selçuk seems to work the best, the Brazilian misses another two matches and should return against Ankara side Gençlerbirliği next month.
The Istanbul side should have been in front in the first half, Umut Bulut in my opinion didn't have his best game and Terim made the right decision to take him off in the second half.
Every Galatasaray fan was anticipating Drogba's debut in the second half, the former Chelsea player came on in the sixty third minute of the game and replaced Umut Bulut. Drogba made no mistake of showing that first impressions matter, and scored within five minutes of being on the pitch. Burak crossed in from the right and Drogba climbed high to beat Akhisar defender Emrah Eren and scored a powerful header to make it one nil to the visitors.
Since replacing Bulut in the sixty third minute, the Ivorian made an instant impact and gelled well with Burak straight away, also Sneijder played slightly better. The pair look very dangerous and definitely look like they will cause problems on Wednesday when Galatasaray play Schalke 04 in the Champions League.
The Lions went ahead again three minutes later, Drogba played a one two with Wesley Sneijder and then made a run before Akhisar keeper Oğuz Dağlaroğlu came out to prevent the Ivorian from scoring. However, the ball was fumbled and Burak was at the right place and right time to tap the ball into the back of the net to make it two nil.
The Akigo as Akhisar are known to their fans scored in the eighty fifth minute, Sertan Vardar scoring from a diving header from close range. The goal could have been avoided as Vardar had been poorly marked by the Lions' defense.
However, even getting a goal back with five minutes to go, the visitors struggled to break through Galatasaray's defense in the few minutes left of the game.
Galatasaray remain top of the Turkish Süper Lig on forty three point and are eight points clear, city rivals Beşiktaş remain second. Akhisar remain bottom of the league with nineteen points.
As previously mentioned, Galatasaray will play Bundesliga side Schalke 04 at the Türk Telekom Arena on Wednesday evening. In week 23 of the Süper Lig, the Lions face Orduspor at home, Galatasaray will be seeking revenge against the Ordu club having lost two nil in their previous meeting back in late September.
GALATASARAY: Muslera, Sabri, Semih, Dany, Riera, Selçuk, Yekta (Amrabat 63 mins), Hamit, Sneijder (Eboué 79 mins), Umut (Drogba 63 mins), Burak
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