Galatasaray ends year on a high with Beşiktaş demolition
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Hurriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Aralık 23, 2008 00:00
ISTANBUL - This year's last game was worthy of its 'grand finale' tag and was a festival of goals as Galatasaray beat Beşiktaş 4-2. Galatasaray ends the year on a high and on third place in the Turkcell Super League, while pushing its archrival into deeper problems and five spots behind the top spots
It was not the most usual result for a derby, but given both teams’ recent performances, Galatasaray’s 4-2 defeat of Beşiktaş could be seen coming.
Sunday’s Turkcell Super League game, which was the last football game of the year as well as the end of the first period of the season, saw Galatasaray maintain its third position, leaving Beşiktaş far behind.
An opening goal by defender Servet Çetin added by a hat trick by Czech star Milan Baros gave Galatasaray a precious win over its archrival, who tried to close the deficit with goals by Mattias Delgado and Filip Holosko.
Looking at Galatasaray’s booming form in last three weeks, with three clear victories coming with nine goals, it was not a surprise. With its attacking force at full throttle, Beşiktaş had little hope of keeping them out. Furthermore, two penalties and one red card did nothing to help Beşiktaş’s cause.
’Unnecessary penalty’
Attacker Holosko fouled Arda Turan in a moment he came back to help his defense, only minutes after Beşiktaş found the equalizing goal to make it 1-1. Coach Mustafa Denizli believed Holosko’s clumsy tackle changed the balance of the game.
"We were ready for how Galatasaray would come to attack, but the unnecessary penalty harmed the balance of the game," Denizli said. "We attacked like a great team but could not finish like one. And we could only level the score once."
Delgado was sent off after picking a second yellow card for asking the referee to show one to the opponent. The red card divided the commentators Sunday night, with some of them thinking the decision was harsh, and the rest believing it was fair. Unlike the majority, Denizli did not go hard at referee Cüneyt Çakır only, and criticized his player as well.
"It was an act in the moment, it was not insulting, it was a small gesture. There are moments when referees should tolerate the players," said Denizli. "But of course, Delgado should not have done that."
While the Beşiktaş front was ruing small mistakes, Galatasaray coach Michael Skibbe was proud of his team’s performance.
"I am very happy that we beat one of the title contenders," said the German. "Two offensive teams played a good match and we were the side that was involved in more goal chances, and it was us who deserved the win."
After weeks of criticism towards his performance as Galatasaray coach, Skibbe is finally comfortable in his position, as the Lions sustained a good form in recent games with four consecutive wins.
"I never lost two much sleep over criticisms because a team always needs to see its coach standing tall," said Skibbe. "You prove how strong you are when you are down. I managed to do it, and we got over it together. Now we are where we want to be in Europe and we are in a good position in the league." Galatasaray is third and only one point behind Sivasspor and Trabzonspor, while the situation looks poorer for Beşiktaş, who is dwelling at sixth place six points behind the top.
Sunday’s Turkcell Super League game, which was the last football game of the year as well as the end of the first period of the season, saw Galatasaray maintain its third position, leaving Beşiktaş far behind.
An opening goal by defender Servet Çetin added by a hat trick by Czech star Milan Baros gave Galatasaray a precious win over its archrival, who tried to close the deficit with goals by Mattias Delgado and Filip Holosko.
Looking at Galatasaray’s booming form in last three weeks, with three clear victories coming with nine goals, it was not a surprise. With its attacking force at full throttle, Beşiktaş had little hope of keeping them out. Furthermore, two penalties and one red card did nothing to help Beşiktaş’s cause.
’Unnecessary penalty’
Attacker Holosko fouled Arda Turan in a moment he came back to help his defense, only minutes after Beşiktaş found the equalizing goal to make it 1-1. Coach Mustafa Denizli believed Holosko’s clumsy tackle changed the balance of the game.
"We were ready for how Galatasaray would come to attack, but the unnecessary penalty harmed the balance of the game," Denizli said. "We attacked like a great team but could not finish like one. And we could only level the score once."
Delgado was sent off after picking a second yellow card for asking the referee to show one to the opponent. The red card divided the commentators Sunday night, with some of them thinking the decision was harsh, and the rest believing it was fair. Unlike the majority, Denizli did not go hard at referee Cüneyt Çakır only, and criticized his player as well.
"It was an act in the moment, it was not insulting, it was a small gesture. There are moments when referees should tolerate the players," said Denizli. "But of course, Delgado should not have done that."
While the Beşiktaş front was ruing small mistakes, Galatasaray coach Michael Skibbe was proud of his team’s performance.
"I am very happy that we beat one of the title contenders," said the German. "Two offensive teams played a good match and we were the side that was involved in more goal chances, and it was us who deserved the win."
After weeks of criticism towards his performance as Galatasaray coach, Skibbe is finally comfortable in his position, as the Lions sustained a good form in recent games with four consecutive wins.
"I never lost two much sleep over criticisms because a team always needs to see its coach standing tall," said Skibbe. "You prove how strong you are when you are down. I managed to do it, and we got over it together. Now we are where we want to be in Europe and we are in a good position in the league." Galatasaray is third and only one point behind Sivasspor and Trabzonspor, while the situation looks poorer for Beşiktaş, who is dwelling at sixth place six points behind the top.