The first step to glory- Bordeaux 0-0 Galatasaray

By: Musab | February 18th, 2009

As I’ve stated countless times in the past, our goal this year is not the league or the cups. Our goal is very simple; to win the UEFA Cup in our most hated rivals own stadium. To win the cup in Fener’s stadium would be the equivalent of winning 10 Champions leagues or 20 league titles in a row. That being said, we will try our hardest to defeat anyone in our way to the final at Kadikoy.

Today the CimBom took the next step in its journey by traveling to the beautiful French city of Bordeaux, a city known for its food, wine, and its Girondins. Both teams were coming off a poor string of results lately, dropping points in the race for the domestic title. Bordeaux came out with a full strength squad that included some very respectable attackers such as Gourcuff, Cavenaghi, and Chamakh. All these player could easily play, and be succesful, with Galatasaray. We also welcomed back Lincoln for his first game after 5 matches, and Harry Kewell who returned from an extended injury. All in all, it was a promising game.

BORDEAUX: 0 GALATASARAY: 0

Stadium: Chaban Delmas
Referee: Claudio Circhetta

BORDEAUX: Ramé, Jurietti, Diawara, Henrique, Placente, Jussie, Diarra, Gourcuff, Wendel (min. 74 Fernando), Chamakh (min. 68 Gouffran), Cavenaghi

GALATASARAY: De Sanctis, Barış, Meira, Servet, Emre Aşık, Arda, Mehmet Topal, Ayhan, Kewell (min. 64 Sabri), Lincoln (min. 86 Mehmet Güven), Baros (min. 46 Nonda)

Yellow Cards: Henrique, Jurietti, Placente (Bordeaux) Baros, Emre Aşık (Galatasaray)

I personally enjoyed the game. While both teams didn’t have many chances ob goal, the footy on the pitch was very respectable. Galatasaray’s defense was rock solid while Bordeaux dominated then central midfield. Bordeaux had a great chance to go 1-0 up early in the match only for Chamakh’s excellent header to go off the post. After the first 15 minutes, Galatasaray began to dig itself into the game and started putting together some key passes and started to succesfully fight and win the ball from the Bordeaux players. The CimBom’s effort was rewarded when Kewell found himself with a fantastic pass from Ayhan only for his close range shot to be saved by Ulrich Rame.

There was a bit of controversy on the part of the match referee when Baros’ was plowed by Rame and when the young Gouffran applauded the referee after being booked with a yellow card. Both can be argued as game changing decisions. On the other side Bordeaux were arguable denied a penalty when Emre Asik decided to push a Bordeaux player (Cavenaghi?) with both hands while the player was trying to jump for a ball. Another idiotic move from Emre to put in the highlight reel.

Overall I feel that this result was fair to both sides. Both teams did not put too strong an effort to get the win and both sides played effective football. From the Yellow-Red side, Im very proud of our back line for being able to hold off a very talented Bordeaux offensive lineup. Arry Kewell also seemed very impressive, despite missing a good amount of time away injured.

The 0-0 scoreline means that Galatasaray will have to win at the Ali Sami Yen. A tie with goals will see Bordeaux go through on away goals. Can we defeat them in our own stadium? Yes we can. With the stadium on fire and the fans giving them hell, I feel we can go forward and defeat them next week on the 26th. Bordeaux’s first priority is not the UEFA Cup, but to dethrone Olympique Lyonnais. Our only goal on the other hand is to win this Cup, whatever the cost.

On an added note, Hamburg dismantled NEC Nijmegan 0-3 meaning that if we get past Bordeaux, we will most likely be going up against the north Germans in the quarterfinals.