Match Focus: Can Galatasaray Halt the Title Charge of In-Form Besiktas?
The last time Beşiktaş and Galatasaray met at the Atatürk Olympic stadium there were three goals, one red card and a mass pitch invasion that resulted in Gala being awarded an automatic 3-0 win – just another Istanbul derby.
The Black Eagles were accused of naivety in last season’s encounter but Slaven Bilic’s boys are back, stronger and more experienced. Recent performances in Europe against English opposition perhaps best illustrate the progress that has been made under Bilic. The former Croatian national team manager was extolled for Beşiktaş’ gallant display against Arsenal in the Champions League play-off back in August and Tottenham in the Europa League.
Beşiktaş won out in terms of possession against the Gunners (52% in Istanbul, 53.9% in London) and out-passed Arsenal home (490 passes to Arsenal’s 454 passes) and away (515 to the Gunners 439 passes) – the same Arsenal side that beat Galatasaray 4-1 in Istanbul and London this season.
Beşiktaş were unable to prevent the Gunners narrowly scraping through to the Champions League group stages 1-0 on aggregate but did manage to hold Tottenham to a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane followed by a 1-0 victory at the Atatürk Olympic stadium.
In stark contrast Galatasaray’s European campaign ended in disaster. The Lions’ then manager Cesare Prandelli was lambasted for his team selection, tactical tinkering and conceding four goals in a game on four occasions in just 16 games in charge.
Galatasaray turned to current Turkish national team manager Fatih Terim as their saviour back in 2011. This time around they turned to Terim’s assistant-coach and former Galatasaray player Hamza Hamzaoğlu.
Prandelli did not leave Galatasaray on the best of terms but he handed over the keys to a side just one point behind then league leaders Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş. The Lions had been keeping an average 62.2% possession and had the highest pass accuracy in the league (84.5%), with only rivals Fenerbahçe having completed more passes when he parted ways.
Post-Prandelli Galatasaray are definitely showing a lot more teeth going forward. The Lions only managed 15 goals in 16 official matches under Prandelli but have already scored 29 goals in eight games under the former Galatasaray defender.
Defensively not a lot has changed, Galatasaray still lack organisation and have conceded 12 goals in 8 games. Hamzaoğlu will also be concerned that his midfield simply do not work hard enough, especially when compared to Beşiktaş.
Beşiktaş defend well as a team. Veli Kavlak and Atiba Hutchinson work tirelessly in midfield sitting just in front of the centre-backs. Kavlak averages 3 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game, while Atiba averages 1.5 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per match. That is to be expected from holding midfielders but what really sets the Black Eagles apart is the defensive work the wingers and forwards put in. Attacking midfielder Jose Sosa averages 1.7 tackles per game while wingers Olcay Şahan (1.4), Kerim Frei (0.9) and Gökhan Töre (1) are all doing their bit.
Galatasaray have put on more spirited performances under Hamzaoğlu but there is a bit of naivety to their play. Arsenal recently exploited the Lions’ vulnerability on the wings to create chances at will. The Lions could suffer a similar fate against Beşiktaş if the full-backs continue performing as they have done for much of the season, as they will be up against the leagues most in-form wingers.
The Eagles play some of the most effective, attacking based football in Turkey. No other team have scored as many goals in open play (19). Bilic has plenty of options in the final third and also has the most prolific striker in the league at his disposal. Demba Ba has scored 16 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions and has a conversion rate of 23.5% in the league. Despite having an impressive record, however, Beşiktaş have not been reliant on Ba for goals. Töre has five goals and five assists across the Lig and Europa League, while Şahan has 4 and 5 respectively. Attacking midfielder Sosa has two goals and five assists while second choice striker Cenk Tosun has four goals.
The Atatürk Olympic stadium may be Liverpool’s home-from-home following the infamous 2005 Champions League final but most of the Beşiktaş faithful cannot wait to move back to the pleasant shores of the Bosphorus. Power cuts, black outs, hurricane force winds, waterlogged pitches and pitch invasions have marred the Black Eagles Olympic stadium experience.
Beşiktaş are currently top of the table, having won seven consecutive games. Pretty impressive considering the Eagles have been footballing nomads playing without a home stadium. The İnönü is currently being rebuilt and rebranded the Vodafone Arena. As a result Beşiktaş have been forced to play in Ankara, Konya and all across Istanbul.
Bilic has the Black Eagles playing some of the most aesthetically pleasing football in the league but he has not won a single Istanbul derby yet. Hamzaoğlu has had a spirited start to his Galatasaray managerial career but this is his first real test. A win here could see the Lions go into the winter break as Süper Lig leaders and Hamzaoğlu being heralded as the new emperor. Beşiktaş and Galatasaray, two of the titans of Turkish football, have it all to play for as they prepare to lock horns on Sunday.
Who will come out on top in this weekend's Istanbul derby? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
