Trabzonspor vs Juventus

It might be very difficult  for Trabzonspor as they seek to overturn a first-leg deficit and knock Juventus out of the UEFA Europa League.

Trabzonspor, still acclimating to life under Hami Mandirali, (a man who does not have a pro licence to coach)  will begin the second leg of their round-of-32 tie with being down two goals !

Trabzonspor have not beaten a Serie A side at home since 1982, and will have to better the 1-0 scoreline recorded on that occasion in a 1-0 UEFA Cup first-round victory over Inter.

However, Turkey does not exactly hold pleasant recent memories for Juventus, as it was a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray that dumped the Italian club into the Europa League during the final round of UEFA Champions League group matches in December.

Additionally, Trabzonspor have an impressive continental record at the Huseyin Avni Aker Stadium to lift their spirits.

They are unbeaten in seven matches on home turf in Europe and had not lost in 12 UEFA games this term until they ran into Antonio Conte’s men - who are without a victory in their last four European away trips, losing three.

Nevertheless, Juventus remain firm favourites and have the considerable carrot of this season's Europa League final being staged at the Juventus Stadium

While Juventus hold a healthy advantage in their domestic league, having dropped only nine points all season, Trabzonspor have not been able to enjoy similar success.

Trabzonspor seventh in the Turkish Super Lig, 15 points behind leaders Fenerbahce, and face a battle to secure European football for next season.

See you in London : Galatasaray 1- Chelsea 1

It was two different  match ..

In the first half , Chelsea was better .

Second half was all Galatasaray ....

Chelsea found the goal in the early minutes of the match in the first half by huge mistake by midfield and defense !

Quickly after the goal, Galatasaray coach Mancini, realized that he made mistake and put Yekta in to the match ...

In the second half bringing in Semih Kaya to defense gave Galatasaray momentum .

Wesley Sneijder's hard work paid off and from his korner kick Galatasaray scored .

So last dance will be in London in two weeks !

After the match, Drogba said "we are going to London to surprise Chelsea "

It won't be easy but it will be a match to watch ...

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Match report.....  

*Torres scored the first goal for Chelsea  in the knockout phase in the ninth minute after Cezar Azpilicueta cut the ball back to the striker.

*Aurelien Chedjou put the ball past goalkeeper Petr Cech in the 64th after connecting with Wesley Sneijder's corner.

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The second leg of the round of 16 game is at Stamford Bridge on March 18.

Galatasaray's Sneijder : "We are ready for Chelsea!"

Galatasaray to host  Chelsea at Turk Telekom Arena on Wednesday....

 The match between two teams will kick off at 21:45 local time in Turkey. 

The two teams will play for the third time with each other. The previous matches were in UEFA Champions League 

1999-2000 season, where both matches resulted in an English victory.

Today at the press conference Wesley Sneijder said they are ready for Chelsea !

"Mourinho knows us well and that is an advantage but the same applies for us, we know Mourinho very well, perhaps better than the Chelsea players know us.

"Chelsea is a great side, everybody has to accept that, but if we show the same spirit we did against Juventus, we could achieve another big result."

Galatasaray's coach Mancini also answered  the questions  at the press conference today....

He said, he expects Drogba and Sneijder to give their full energy in this match against Chelsea...

"Didier was an important man and an important player for Chelsea,

Wesley won the Champions League under Mourinho. I think they have a good relationship but tomorrow for 90 minutes I think they will be enemies.

"After that they can go and have dinner together. But for 90 minutes I think they will play not 100 per cent, but more because we need Wesley and Didier to play very well tomorrow."

On the other hand Chelsea coach Mourinho  was angry about the question .....

Insated of asking him questions about  the Galatasaray match , English media asked him about his leaked comment to media !

He called it, disgrace of reporting ....

After that, he went on to talk about the match....

Mourinho said, Galatasaray still good team under Mancini and they have experienced players like Drogba and Sneijder.

He said, they have a chance to win the Champions League Trophy , if they can get past Galatasaray.

12th man will be huge advantage for Galatasaray  in Turk Telecom Arena on Wednesday !

If Drogba and Sneijder plays good, Galatasaray could upset Chelsea in Istanbul.

But, Galatasaray has to play like a team and not let down in 90 minutes ..

TSL Wrap : Galatasaray captures second place ,Fenerbahce stall

Galatasaray beat Besiktas 1-0 to move above Besiktas into second in the Turkish Super League

Selcuk Inan's 38th-minute penalty proved the difference between the two sides and means Roberto Mancini's men now occupy the all-important second UEFA Champions League qualifying berth.

In extending their unbeaten league run to 11 matches, Galatasaray climbed two points above Besiktas, but remain four points behind Fenerbahce, who needed a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw at Elazigspor.

Elazig went in front very last minutes of the half-time through Onur Ayik and Fenerbahce looked set for a third defeat in four when Cristian Baroni was sent off just before the hour mark.

Fenerbahce was the better side in the first half, they could not cash in at least four chances by Baroni, Emenike and Alper !

That was the huge difference...

Another problem for Fener was they were missing a leader in their midfield !

Yes, referee Gokcek, made a very bad call but, they should have scored at least three goals until the red card.

However, Mehmet Topal struck seven minutes from time to rescue a valuable point for the leaders.

Fourth-placed Sivasspor suffered a 6-2 thrashing at the hands of Kasimpasa, who moved up to sixth, three points behind their opponents.

First-half goals from Ezequiel Scarione, Sanharib Malki and Ryan Babel put Kasimpasa in control and Tabare Viudez made it four just after the break.

Sivas replied through Hakan Arslan and Aatif Chahechouhe, either side of Tunay Torun's strike, before Andre Castro's goal and the dismissal of Manuel da Costa capped a miserable day for Sivasspor.

At the bottom of the table, Kayseri Erciyesspor claimed a second successive win with a 2-1 home victory over Karabukspor.

Goals from Murat Yildirim and Yasin Oztekin put the home side in control and the hosts held on to move within four points of safety despite Murat Akca scoring to set up a nervy final 15 minutes.

They had to come from behind, Mijailovic giving the visitors the lead before second-half goals from Adrian Mierzejewski and Marc Janko turned things around.

Bursaspor won 2-0 against struggling Rizespor, while Gaziantepspor and Akhisar Belediyespor drew 1-1.

Elsewhere, two Bogdan Stancu goals saw Genclerbirligi come from two down to earn a point in a 2-2 draw with Konyaspor, while the game between Antalyaspor and Eskisehirspor finished goalless.

Euro 2016 : Turkey in difficult group !

Turkey is yet again set to face the Netherlands, this time in qualifying for Euro 2016. 

Fatih Terim's boys will therefore have the tough task of getting payback against the team that crushed its slim World Cup chances with victory in Istanbul last year.

Drawn into a difficult-looking Group A, Turkey will also be up against a resurgent Czech Republic, a rising Iceland, and dangerous minnows Latvia and Kazakhstan.



There they will take on the might of Germany, who will be bidding to qualify for a 12th consecutive European Championship finals.

The British Overseas Territory were also drawn with Scotland, as well as the Republic of Ireland and Poland in what looks set to be an unforgiving section, but elsewhere Europe's leading powers were largely spared.

England's toughest game in Group E should come against Switzerland, while two-time defending European champions Spain will get their toughest matches against Ukraine and Slovakia in Group C.

However, the draw in Nice was a little less Italy, who will tackle Croatia in Group H.

Euro 2016, which will be held in France, will see 24 nations advance to the finals for the first time in the history of the European Championship.

Only eight nations participated in the finals when France last hosted the competition in 1984, before the number of finalists was increased to 16 in 1996.

The decision to increase the number of finalists has been criticised by many who believe the quality of football on offer come the tournament itself will be diluted as a result.      

However, the format means it seems almost certain that all Europe's leading nations will be there along with the French, who qualify automatically as hosts.

The top two teams in each of the nine groups will advance to the finals along with the best third-placed side, while the remaining third-placed nations will play off for four more berths.

There are eight groups of six teams as well as one - Group I - that contains five nations. However, France are also allocated to that group and will play friendly matches against those teams, for which no points will be awarded.

The first qualifiers will be played on September 7 and the campaign will see matches spread over six days, from Thursday to Tuesday, during every international break in a format that UEFA  have championed as the 'Week of Football'. The finals themselves will run from June 10 to July 10, 2016.

Following is the 2016 qualifying draw made in Nice:      

Group A: Netherlands, Czech ,Republic, Turkey, Latvia, Iceland, Kazakhstan           

Group B: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belgium, Israel, Wales, Cyprus, Andorra          

Group C: Spain, Ukraine, Slovakia, Belarus, Macedonia, Luxembourg,            

Group D: Germany, Ireland, Poland, Scotland, Georgia, Gibraltar          

Group E: England, Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, San Marino          

Group F: Greece, Hungary, Romania, Finland, Northern Ireland, Faroe Islands,          

Group G: Russia, Sweden, Austria, Montenegro, Moldova, Liechtenstein,          

Group H: Italy, Croatia, Norway, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Malta,          

Group I: Portugal, Denmark, Serbia, Armenia, Albania (Hosts France, already qualified, will complete the group but their results will not count)

Source :Wires 

Galatasaray wins the sloppy derby match !

People who were tuned in to watch this years first derby match in Turkey , 

Saw a sloppy soccer match between Galatasaray and Besiktas  !

Galatasaray won the match with penalty kick goal by Selcuk Inan ....

Thanks to new transfer from Galatasaray , Dany !

Besiktas started the match on a high note found some chances by Almeida and Olcay 

but could not cash in ....

Pretty much , first thirty minutes was  all Besiktas ...

But, in the last fifteen minutes of the half better side was ,Galatasaray !

In the 38 minute , Besiktas defender Dany slided into Veysel Saris's legs in the box 

Dany recieved yellow card and Galatasaray earned penalty kick....

Selcuk Inan  took the kick and scored the only goal in the match !

While Penalty kick was taking , some wiseguy , holded a laser light

 to Besiktas's kepper Tolga Zengin's eye .....

Fans like this guy, should be banned from attending any soccer match in Turkey !

It is disgrace....

And what is so funny, they showed him on TV during the match holding the laser !

Where is the stadium security or Turkish police ?

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At the half,  Tolga decided  not to play and left his place to second keeper Cenk Gonen!

Second half of this match, was one of the most boring halfs  I ever watched ! 

A lot of fake injuries and delay of game and too many calls by referee .....

The only real good chance was again with Almeida for Besiktas !

In the very beginning of the second half , Almeida BLEW IT .....

Instead of going over the Galatasaray keeper Muslera with a shot

He tried  to shoot through Muslera's leg....

Which he did !

But, ball did not go into the net ...

This was huge opportunity for Besiktas !

Young Besiktas's keeper Cenk Gonen's injury happened during trying to save the goal 

It was awful to see him fall to ground like that !

He actually fainted on the pitch and got up and played  last 15 minutes of the match !

If I was team doctor I would not let him play like that ...

After the match , Cenk said he does not remember what happen to him on the pitch at all !

Very risky move by Besiktas doctor during the match, allowed him to play like that....

Young Besiktas keeper Cenk Gonen spent the night in hospital after the match .

Tolga and Cenk being injured , Besiktas might not have a keeper for next match !

With this win, Galatasaray gained huge morale before Chelsea match on wednesday

And captured the second place from Besiktas in the 22th week !

Galatasaray now has 44 points while Besiktas stayed at  42 points...

First place team Fenerbahce has 47 points and they will play on Monday ,

A match in Elazig will be very interesting for Fenerbahce.....

Lastly, my kudos and fairplay award goes to Galatasaray's Semih Kaya.....

He reversed referees decision by telling the truth

He told referee Cuneyt Cakir, that, ball went out by him instead of  Besiktas player "

After that, Cuneyt Cakir reversed his call and gave a corner kick to Besiktas !''

Kudos to Semih Kaya for being honest ......

We need more players like  Semih Kaya in the Turkish Super League !

My fair play award  goes to Semih Kaya,,,,,,, 

Super Derby Day in Turkey : Galatasaray vs Besiktas !

It's very huge weekend for Galatasaray and Besiktas .....Last years defending Champions Galatasaray will host Besiktas who is one step ahead of them on Saturday night in their noisey home at Turk Telekom Arena !

It is very huge next few days for Galatasaray ....

After Besiktas match they will host Chelsea team, in their nest , next week.

While Besiktas focuses only to the league Galatasaray has to think and prepare for Champions League and Turkish Cup too along with  chasing the league's top team Fenerbahce !

That's is why this match is very important .....

It is important for Mancini's Galatasaray and Bilic's Besiktas !

A win for Besiktas will be huge on Saturday ...

That would put them 2 points behind Fenerbahce and Fenerbahce will feel the heat on Monday night in Elazig when they face Elazigspor .

But, it will not be easy !

Besiktas is much young and inexperienced  team....

On the other hand, Galatasaray have Drogba, Sneijder, Muslera and Selcuk Inan .

If, Drogba shows that he is clutch player, Galatasaray could win this match before the big one !

Besiktas's Oguzhan Ozyakup did not practiced with the team until Friday .

It is not for sure he will play on Saturday.....

Almeida and Fernandes and keeper Tolga Zengin will be Besiktas's clutch player if they want to win this match.

Besikta's American soccer player Jermaine Jones did practice with the team and he looked good in the practice sessions, this week.

We might just see, Jermaine Jones  on the pitch ,tomorrow ....

Here is the last thing.....

In the first half, before Galatasaray match Besiktas was 4-0 !

Besiktas lost the match 2-1 in the very seconds of the match  when Besiktas fans invaded the pitch while stoppage time was playing....

The Turkish Football Federation  punished Besiktas four matches without the spectator ban  
and match  stand as forfeit 3-0 in favor of Galatasaray !

After that , Besiktas was in slum for long time !

Now ,at the week 22, the story is little different ....

Besiktas is one step above Galatasaray, but ,this match could change that !

So, I just hope we will not see that kind of absurd behavior again on Saturday ...

The pressure will be on both teams ....

I just hope, we see a good derby match on Saturday.

AHMET TURGUT
@turkishsoccer