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Self-destructive Lions seek revenge, redemption at Ali Sami Yen
The Lions fell to second place and could fall even further to third depending on the result of the Gençlerbiriği-Fenerbahçe match that was still being played on Saturday when this page went to press.
Therefore, much is at stake as the Lions welcome Ankaragücü to their Ali Sami Yen Stadium this evening for their week 25 match. The Lions will be aiming for victory not only to keep their title hopes alive but also to avenge the 3-0 away loss to Ankaragücü in week 8, which was also the Lions’ first league defeat of the season.
This means Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard and his Lions face a must-win situation this evening, for they must win to appease the disillusioned fans who are keeping quiet simply because all hope is not yet lost.
With the injured healing, Rijkaard no longer has problems with team selection. Czech striker Milan Baros, sidelined since he broke his foot in week 10, trained with the rest of the team this week. Defenders Hakan Kadir Balta, Gökhan Zan and Aussie winger Harry Kewell were also present.
But the question everybody is asking is whether the new Galatasaray acquisitions are a boon to the team or a menace. Brazil striker Joao Alves spent several weeks at the club’s infirmary, and his return has not added fire power to the Lions attacking force. The same applies to young Mexico forward Giovani Dos Santos, who is yet to prove his worth.
With the new players taking longer than expected to get acclimated to the team, Galatasaray on the pitch is a bunch of confused players with no game plan or purpose. And it appears as if Rijkaard himself has run short of ideas. So how the Dutchman can redeem his team in today’s high-stakes match against Ankara remains to be seen.
Ankaragücü’s French coach Roger Lemerre sounded cautiously optimistic this week and reportedly told his players, “Play your game and let your opponent do the thinking.”
Live on LİG TV - HD / 19:00 Galatasaray-Ankaragücü
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