De Santis Saves The Day For Galatasaray!....

Galatasaray's goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis kicks the ball during their UEFA Cup soccer match at the Chaban Delmas stadium in Bordeaux February 18, 2009.
Photo by REUTERS/


Bordeaux and Galatasaray played to a stalemate in the first leg of their UEFA Cup last-32 clash but it was not for a lack of chances at either end.
Both goalkeepers had to be on top form to keep the scoresheet clear, and it will have been be Gala that came away the happier side.

Bordeaux were quickest out of the blocks with Yoann Gourcuff firing narrowly wide in the sixth minute.
Galatasaray responded as Marouane Chamakh's long-range effort brought the first save out of Morgan de Sanctis.

However, the hosts had the upper hand and Fernando Cavenaghi might have done better from Chamakh's cross but sent his effort over the bar.
Former Lyon striker Milan Baros was back on familiar turf but could not find his range as he sent a shot over the bar from 25 yards in the 14th minute.
He went much closer moments later, but Ulrich Rame made a fine save to turn his shot around the post.

Cassio Lincoln then headed wide for Galatasaray in the 28th minute.
Gourcuff was also off target with a long-range effort in the 35th minute, and that was the end of the chances before the break.

The second half got off to a slow start, with another shot from range from Gourcuff flying wide in the only chance before the hour mark.

The on-loan AC Milan, Galatasaray keeper man then forced De Sanctis into a sharp save from close range before Cavenaghi had a long-range effort blocked by Cassio.
Cassio was then in action at the other end as his close-range effort brought another great save from Rame, who sent it wide for a corner.

Galatasaray were enjoying their best spell of the game, and moments later Shabani Nonda had a shot that Rame could only push into the path of Sabri Sarioglu, but his follow-up effort went over the bar.

Cassio then fired over the bar before play swung back to the other end where Gourcuff saw his shot charged down by Baris Ozbek.

As time ran out, De Sanctis did well to block Fernando Menegazzo's close-range effort as the Galatasaray held on.