SiN
04-21-2006, 11:16 AM
The Turkish press is in its usual derby frenzy, with seemingly everyone giving
their opinions and predictions.This week, Galatasaray veteran Ergun Penbe
gave his thoughts: "It takes a strong team to beat Fener, so having the three points in hand is a big advantage for us." Gaziantepspor coach Samet Aybaba also thinks the advantage lies with the Yellow-Reds: "If it's a tactical contest then Fener will be under more pressure [from the home fans], but just from the perspective of two teams fighting it out, I give Galatasaray the better chance."
But former Galatasaray official Ergun Gursoy summed it up best: "From the start of the season Fenerbahçe had the flashy transfers and a stadium full of 50,000 fans.The Yellow-Blues put up good fights, but the atmosphere led to a certain complacency. They failed to create the goal difference expected in the long run. Galatasaray, on the other hand, did not have that flash, and the media gave them no hope of sitting atop the league standings, but the work of years shone through and without one questionable
victory, they have arrived here. They can continue from here to the end without dying."
Gursoy is without a doubt right, and Galatasaray fans can be proud of the fact that their team is in contention at all, let alone at the top of the League. At the beginning of the season it seemed impossible for cash-strapped underdogs Galatasaray to even compete with the wealthy, powerful Canaries. But the Lions' fighting spirit has brought them to this point, and no matter what Saturday's outcome, their fans will be able to stand and cheer with pride.
their opinions and predictions.This week, Galatasaray veteran Ergun Penbe
gave his thoughts: "It takes a strong team to beat Fener, so having the three points in hand is a big advantage for us." Gaziantepspor coach Samet Aybaba also thinks the advantage lies with the Yellow-Reds: "If it's a tactical contest then Fener will be under more pressure [from the home fans], but just from the perspective of two teams fighting it out, I give Galatasaray the better chance."
But former Galatasaray official Ergun Gursoy summed it up best: "From the start of the season Fenerbahçe had the flashy transfers and a stadium full of 50,000 fans.The Yellow-Blues put up good fights, but the atmosphere led to a certain complacency. They failed to create the goal difference expected in the long run. Galatasaray, on the other hand, did not have that flash, and the media gave them no hope of sitting atop the league standings, but the work of years shone through and without one questionable
victory, they have arrived here. They can continue from here to the end without dying."
Gursoy is without a doubt right, and Galatasaray fans can be proud of the fact that their team is in contention at all, let alone at the top of the League. At the beginning of the season it seemed impossible for cash-strapped underdogs Galatasaray to even compete with the wealthy, powerful Canaries. But the Lions' fighting spirit has brought them to this point, and no matter what Saturday's outcome, their fans will be able to stand and cheer with pride.