Galatasaray - Opposition Views

[Jase 43,479]

Ahead of Chelsea's Champions League Last 16 first leg tie with Galatasaray in Istanbul, I spoke with Chris (known as @cfccod on Twitter) - a regular watcher of Turkish football - to find out more about the Turkish champions.

1. Fatih Terim was a popular figure at Galatasaray but got sacked earlier this season. How did the fans react to that and to his replacement Roberto Mancini?

Fatih Terim's sacking was a surprise to most. Galatasaray had not started the season well but the fans were always behind the manager. Dismissing Terim, who is a legendary figure at the club, caused a little tension amongst fans towards the club's board. But Terim himself refused to extend his contract at Galatasaray as he wanted to fully focus on his duties as the Turkish National Team manager. This cooled the tension a bit since it wasn't the club's intention to sack him in the first place. Finding a replacement was always going to be tough but I think most Galatasaray fans were happy at seeing such a high profile manager in Roberto Mancini take charge of their club.

2. How has Galatasaray's season gone so far especially when Mancini has been in charge for most of it?

Galatasaray started the season off very badly, with only one win in their first eight games in all competitions under Terim. Mancini then came in and steadied the ship with four wins in his first six games, although the next league game was a 2-0 loss at bitter rivals Fenerbahçe. Not a good way to announce yourself in your first İstanbul derby. Since then though, Galatasaray have went 12 league games unbeaten. They now lie 2nd in the table, three points behind leaders Fenerbahçe, who have a game in hand on them.

3. What does Mancini and Galatasaray have to achieve this season to be considered a success?

The main objective is to win the Turkish league. That's what's expected of them with all they money they have spent recently. They are also expected to perform well in the Champions League and the domestic cup. Beating rivals Fenerbahçe as many times as possible will help, too.

4. What has the difference been between Terim's Galatasaray and Mancini's Galatasaray?

Terim's side usually played a 4-2-3-1 formation. It was a very attacking side. One thing they were always accused of was defending poorly. He used to play with two slightly more attacking minded players in the pivot, leaving his defence exposed. Terim failed to accomodate strikers Burak Yılmaz and Didier Drogba to play together and often had Burak playing out wide where he is much less effective.

After a few games, Mancini realised that in order to get the best out of his team, he would have to play Burak and Drogba up-front together. He has been playing a 3-5-2 formation recently with Wesley Sneijder playing just behind the strikers. He plays with three centre backs and two wing backs or wide midfielders. His side look more solid defensively as well as maintaining that attacking threat.

5. What are the strengths of Galatasaray and how can they hurt Chelsea with it?

There is no doubt that Galatasaray's strength lies on their attacking prowess. We all know that Dider Drogba is a handful to any defence and can score at anytime, and Burak Yılmaz has a fantastic goalscoring record in the Champions League. In the midfield they are also strong and not afraid of a physical matchup. The experienced attacking midfielder Welsey Sneijder is the man expected to supply the forwards, and he is certainly capable of doing so. Also, Fernando Muslera in goal is excellent and capable of big performances. Striker Umut Bulut is always a goalscoring threat coming off the bench.

6. What are the weaknesses of Galatasaray and how can Chelsea exploit it?

Although Roberto Mancini has improved the side defensively and brought in more bodies at the back in the transfer window, it's still their weak spot. The only real leader at the back is Semih Kaya, with the rest being quite average. Their new Brazilian left back Alex Telles, signed from Grêmio in January, looks like a good player but has never experienced an occasion as big as Champions League nights.

7. How does Mancini set up his side, tactically?

In his preferred 3-5-2 formation, the wing backs get forward at every opportunity and are the ones expected to put in the crosses into the box. They are often left exposed and against Chelsea, who have immense quality in the wide areas, it's likely that they will take a more conservative approach.

Felipe Melo in central midfield loves a physical battle, while his partner Selçuk İnan is an elegant passer of the ball along with being a set-piece specialist. The centre backs stick together while Sneijder tries to find pockets of space to feed the strikers. Burak Yılmaz is always on the move while Drogba prefers the ball into his feet or chest.

8. What would be Mancini's Plan B if Plan A isn't working?

He could go 4-3-3 and drop one of the CB's and strikers and play Veysel Sarı RW and Riera LW. Burak could even play out wide or more likely, 4-3-1-2 with Yekta or Sarı coming central midfield and let Yilmaz and Drogba play together ahead of Sneijder.

9. Who is/are Galatasaray most dangerous player(s) apart from the obvious ones in Drogba and Sneijder?

I believe that Selçuk İnan is a fantastic midfielder and he should not be given time and space on the ball. The man nicknamed 'The Turkish Xavi' can hit a long pass which could open up opposition defenses as seen on many occasions. You also wouldn't want to give him a free-kick close to the box as he is devastating in those situations. In fact, Galatasaray have an amazing choice of free-kick takers - with Selçuk, Drogba, Sneijder and Burak all well capable of scoring from the dead ball.

Burak Yılmaz is a prolific goalscorer and Chelsea need to stop the supply lines to him. He does have off days, so if he gets little off the ball, chances are he could have one of those days. Alex Telles at left wing-back is one to look out for. He has made a very impressive start to his Galatasaray career but it remains to be seen if he can perform on a big Champions League night.

10. Who has been Galatasaray best player this season?

If I were to single out one player from this season, it would be Wesley Sneijder. He took a while to properly settle into Turkish football and lifestyle but now he is finding some great form. He has scored eight goals and assisted two in 17 league appearances this season. Roberto Mancini is playing him in his preferred position and is getting the best out of the Dutch attacking midfielder.

11. Mancini has a poor record in the Champions League but do you think that will change this season?

Very few expected that Mancini's men would qualify through a group with Real Madrid and Juventus. So to even be at this stage is a success for Galatasaray. But they are in the last 16 of the competition now and there's no reason why they can't give Chelsea a good game and make it to the last eight. Chelsea will go in as the favourites for sure. The home tie in the first leg is vital. They need to go to Stamford Bridge in the second leg with a good result to stand any chance of progressing.

The crowd in the Türk Telekom Arena will do their best to help the team, creating an intimidating atmosphere and putting the Chelsea players under as much pressure as possible - whistling extremely loud every time they get the ball. Turkish teams tend to be bad travellers in European competitons and I expect Chelsea to progress through this tie, although it will be far from a foregone conclusion.

12. What can we expect from Galatasaray in this tie, over the two legs?

They have to give the first leg a right go as they are the home team. They will press Chelsea hard in midfield and put in some tough challenges. Galatasaray are very much an attacking outfit so I don't expect to see any kind of a backs-to-the-wall performance from the Turks. Drogba and Burak are the main goal threat and they will always be looking to get them on the ball in advanced areas to cause the Chelsea defence some problems.

13. What would be the expected lineup from Mancini on Wednesday?

The front five pick themselves but there are many options in defence. I think this will be the lineup - (3-5-2) Muslera - Semih Kaya, Ceyhun Gulselam, Chedjou - Eboue, Melo, Selçuk İnan, Sneijder, Telles - Burak, Drogba

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[Strike 7,217]

Good to see opposition views again

[Muzchap 8,966]

Yeah well done good read

[The Chels 2,502]

Very interesting and a great read.

[bushman 2,043]

Where are all those Turkish fans ?

That could be an interesting read, then.

[robsblubot 3,504]

lol BTW, I support Gremio from my hometown Porto Alegre in southern Brazil. Alex Telles is a very promising young attacking fullback who can't defend to save his life. And that has been said in Brazil where most fullbacks can't defend to save their lives.... He actually works better in a 3-5-2 system, so he doesn't have to stay much.

He can certainly develop that aspect of his game (defending is easier to develop), but it will take a couple/few years no doubt.