Galatasaray take on Besiktas – Weekend Preview

By: Musab | September 11th, 2009

The first Derbi of the season sees The CimBom play host to last years title winners Besiktas (my stomach still turns when I think of that, does yours?). With a refurbished squad, Galatasaray has so far taken all 12 points from 4 games while scoring 13 goals. Besiktas on the other hand have struggled with three draws and a victory so far. The sound of dissent can be heard from their camp toward the adminstration as well as coach Mustafa Denizli (a man whom I have always hated). Needless to say, a victory on Saturday would severely damage their season hopes, while make sending a clear message that we are definitly the favorites to win the league this season. If we can get a big victory, let’s say 4-0 and the like, we might even see Denizli gone after their trip to Man United.

The Lineup

Tactically, Rijkaard have an embarassment of options with which he can plot out our victory. Reports coming in say that Elano will start on the bench after his games with the Brazilian national team and the long plane trip back to Istanbul taking a toll on him. That said we will probably see Arda moved to Elano’s “Number 10″ position and Arry Kewell taking his spot on the left wing. Keita will stay on his right side while last years top goal scorer Milan Baros will be our lone forward. Milan scored a hat trick against Besiktas last year and we will expect him to do at least the same this weekend.

In the central midfield we can expect on-form Mustafa Sarp to take his place and help out and win the ball from the opposition. However his usual midfield partner Ayhan is out injured and so we can expect Mehmet Topal to take Ayhan’s place. Ive always been a fan of Mehmet and believe that he will show his class in the match. Baris Ozbek can also be expected to come into the central midfield as well.

The back four will probably be made up of Hakan “I play top class football week in week out” Balta, Servet “I could kill Nihat with my bare hands” Cetin, Emre “I care about the children and the children only” Asik, and Sabri “I thank God for my speed every single day” Sarioglu. Franco will take his place between the sticks.

The Footy

Besiktas have a very weak defense. Erhan Guven and Ismail Koybasi, their right back and left back respectively, have a certain penchent for allowing technical players to easily get past them. When you consider the fact that they will be going up against Kewell and Keita, two of the most technical players in the league, they will most likely struggle throughout the match as our wingers quickly pierce through their defense and enter the Besiktas penalty box. I expect a penalty awarded for us. Write that down.

Besiktas have tried different combinations of strikers throughout the season, but Denizli has yet to choose one effective attack method. I dont expect an unsettled forawrd line to cause too many problems for us. If Denizli is dumb enough to play Tabata, then we have nothing to worry about.

Prediction

An overall good match for the CimBom resulting in a 3-0 victory for the men in purple. Brazilbahce will be defeated in Bursa against Ertugrul Saglam and we will open up a gap between us and Aziz Yildirims Evil Mercenary Army.

What do you think? What is your starting 11? How will the game turn out for the CimBom? Will Neeskens do a Dutch Jig midway through the game? Will Mustafa Denizli rip out the few remaining hairs he has in anger? Leave a comment below!