Galatasaray will play 50th UEFA Cup match!..
Bordeaux defender Franck Jurietti knows his team have to earn a cushion from their UEFA Cup last 32 first-leg tie against Galatasaray if they are to go to Istanbul next week with any hope of progressing.
Les Girondins host Galatasaray at the Stade Chaban-Delmas for the first match of what should be an evenly-contested double-header in the tournament's opening knockout round.
Jurietti is fully aware of the hostile reception his team will receive in the second leg a week on Thursday so is urging them to make home advantage count on Wednesday.
"It will definitely be a white-hot atmosphere (in Turkey). We have already experienced that,'' said the full-back.
"So we will give our all to go over there in the best condition possible. We must win at home and not concede any goals.
"But to come up against these sort of teams on the European scene is always beneficial. It allows you to pick up experience.''
Bordeaux will restore Yoann Gourcuff to their line-up, the France playmaker having started on the bench in last weekend's 1-1 draw at home to Grenoble in Ligue 1.
Forward David Bellion is a doubt with a groin injury.
Les Girondins, who dropped into the UEFA Cup after finishing third in their Champions League group, have had a jaded look about them in recent weeks and have slipped down to fifth place in Ligue 1 after picking up only two points from their last three matches.
Galatasaray have also struggled domestically of late - they have claimed just four points from four games since the winter break and have been knocked out of the Turkish Cup by Sivasspor.
They should have winger Harry Kewell back from injury while play maker Lincoln returns from suspension after missing the 1-0 defeat to Antalyaspor at the weekend.
Volkan Yaman (fractured thumb), Tobias Linderoth (groin) and Hakan Balta (thigh) are all doubts for Michael Skibbe's team.
Galatasaray, winners of the competition back in 2000, are playing their 50th UEFA Cup fixture.
No comments:
Post a Comment