What: Turkish Super Lig
Who: Galatasaray vs Besiktas
When: Sunday 27th January, 2013, at 17:00 UK Time
Where: Turk Telekom Arena, Istanbul, Turkey
Wesley Sneijder Arrival Sets Pulses Racing
It is perhaps peculiar that one of the best players of his generation should leave Italy at the age of 28 to join the Turkish Super Lig, but that is exactly what Wesley Sneijder has done. Signing last week for Galatasaray after having stalled on an offer to see if a Premier League suitor came in, the Dutchman adds lustre and glamour to the Istanbul giants.
It is hard to see this as anything other than a signing made to increase the profile of the top team in Turkey at present, Galatasaray’s ‘Zlatan Ibrahimovic’ moment. Will Sneijder will be catapulted straight into Fatih Terim’s first team? It is not as simple as may be imagined. The question is how he is incorporated into it, whether the system is now moulded around him or whether the former Inter man has to adapt to Terim’s philosophy. Galatasaray tend to play a 4-4-2 with two deep lying midfielders and so Sneijder would not be suited to the wide position, nor to playing as one of the two in the centre, where a lot of running would be required. To play him centrally as part of a three, Terim would presumably be forced to stop using two forwards and two defensive midfielders, unless he wants to sacrifice some width, which would seem counter to his footballing philosophy.
It is at least a welcome problem to have and there is no doubt this is a great time to be a Galatasaray fan. Reigning champions, into the last 16 of the Champions League, making big signings, the only major side not implicated in the country’s match fixing scandal of 2011 and a relatively new stadium, they are one of the up and coming giants of European football. Here though, Galatasaray will look to bounce back from last week’s surprise defeat to Istanbul rivals, Kasimpasa. The champions, the team of the city’s upper class, are now just two points clear of Besiktas, who traditionally represent the middle classes of Istanbul, and a further point ahead of Antalyaspor.
Besiktas Title Charge Gathers Momentum
Galatasaray are not the only side to have made a major signing this week. Visitors Besiktas have wrapped up a loan deal for Shakhtar Donetsk forward Dentinho and it is good timing with Mustafa Pektemek out and Hugo Almeida a slight fitness concern. The Brazilian was a huge talent when he came through at Corinthians, even attracting the attention of Real Madrid, although he has failed to live up to his potential. Besiktas coach Samet Aybaba will hope to get the best out of him during his loan spell.
Besiktas are busy in the transfer market at present, having also signed left-back Gokhan Suzen and young forward Sinan Kurumus in the last month. The Black Eagles have also been in talks to sign Jimmy Briand from French side Lyon, and released Ricardo Quaresma following a disappointing spell during the first half of the season.
While Galatasaray are looking to find their form again, Besiktas have no such worries, having gone 11 games unbeaten in the league since a reverse at Fenerbahce back in October. That has thrust Aybaba’s men right into the heart of the title race. This game will be their biggest of the season and will be a critical test of their championship credentials. If they come away from it with anything, it would be a major marker in the battle for the title. A defeat would bring an unwelcome end to the impressive momentum they have built up.
Recent form
Galatasaray:
Galatasaray 2-1 Fenerbahce (16/12; Super Lig)
Trabzonspor 0-0 Galatasaray (23/12; Super Lig)
Kasimpasa 2-1 Galatasaray (18/01; Super Lig)
Besiktas:
Genclerbirligi 1-1 Besiktas (15/12; Super Lig)
Besiktas 3-1 Kayserispor (21/12; Super Lig)
Besiktas 2-2 Istanbul BB (19/01; Super Lig)
Key absences
Galatasaray: Emmanuel Eboue; Tomas Ujfalusi
Besiktas: Hugo Almeida (doubt); Manuel Fernandes; Mustafa Pektemek
Players to watch
Galatasaray – Burak Yilmaz: Yilmaz shone in the Champions League group stages, firing Terim’s side into the last 16. The powerful forward is strong in the air and good technically. He has scored two fewer than strike partner Umut Bulut, and has been a relevation since being converted into a forward after an unsuccessful time as a winger in his early days. Galatasaray’s signing of the season, Yilmaz played for Besiktas from 2006 and 2008 and he will no doubt be motivated to show they what they missed out on.
Besiktas – Filip Holosko: The Slovak forward arrived at Besiktas in 2008 as Yilmaz’ replacement, interestingly, and he has enjoyed his most productive season in this campaign. Having struck six times in his last eight games, Holosko is in rich goalscoring form and he will be vital if Almeida is unable to start. A quick dribbler with a calm and precise finish, he can take advantage of the marauding runs of Galatasaray’s full-backs if they push up too high and too often.
Match Prediction
These two teams served up a six goal thriller earlier in the season in a 3-3 draw back in August. With the attack minded philosophy both have, and the contrast in terms of their respective formations, this could be another open game full of chances. With Besiktas posing a real threat down the flanks it may help Galatasaray that Emmanuel Eboue is at the African Cup of Nations, so that they can use a more defensive minded full-back on the right to stop Olcay Sahan.
Besiktas will hope that with Manuel Fernandes out injured, their central midfield trio can counter the threat posed by Selcuk Inan and Felipe Melo in the centre of the pitch. A classic pairing full of brawn and technique, one will typically remain deeper whilst the other ventures forward to join the attack, although against a numerically superior midfield they will have a lot of work to do to ensure Galatasaray aren’t overrun if Sneijder plays. For that reason it could make sense for Terim to use a 4-2-3-1, although it is hard to imagine him changing his tactics for one player, even if it is Sneijder.
Galatasaray look to make good use of the flanks and their full-backs to stretch the opposition and get crosses into the box. Besiktas are the league’s top scorers with 40 goals this season, but their defence has been porous. Missing key players going forward, and with Sneijder, Hamit Altintop, Bulut, Johan Elmander and Yilmaz in the champions’ ranks, it is hard to imagine the visitors being able to contain Galatasaray’s firepower going forward. It will be a busy night for former Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor and it is doubtful that Besiktas can offer enough of a threat themselves to get anything from this game. Galatasaray 4-1 Besiktas.
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