UEFA’nın resmi internet sitesi, Sivasspor-Galatasaray maçına geniş yer verdi. Lige 2005 yılında yükselen Sivasspor’un artan bir form grafiğinin olduğu ve her sezon üstüne koyarak devam ettiği vurgulanan haberde, Bülent Uygun’un “Bu kez kazanacağız” sözlerine de yer verildi
İşte O Haber :
Given the Turkish Süper Lig entered its winter break on 21 December, the first games of 2009 should be well worth the wait. On Saturday, leaders Sivasspor welcome titleholders Galatasaray AŞ, before on Sunday, Trabzonspor – level on points with Sivasspor – visit fourth-placed Fenerbahçe SK, with just two points separating the front four.
Sivasspor bid
While Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor have won 40 of the 50 national titles between them, with Beşiktaş JK taking the rest, Sivasspor first reached the top flight in 2005 and only last term emerged as serious contenders. Boasting an irresistible team spirit, they finished fourth. They have still never beaten Galatasaray, yet coach Bülent Uygun believes breaking that duck could be the spur they need to join Turkey's list of champions.
Key game
"When you defeat one of the big four in Turkey, it's as if the whole city comes alive," he said. "If we prevail on Saturday, I believe it will be a huge step towards winning the title. Our team have a goal and we must go for it." However, the coach – without left-back Hayrettin Yerlikaya because of a knee injury, and with striker Hervé Tum doubtful with a groin problem – concedes that Galatasaray are hardly short of quality. "They have world-class players like Arda Turan, Milan Baroš and Lincoln, who can change a game in an instant."
Icy conditions
Galatasaray coach Michael Skibbe has been unsuccessful in bidding for Sivasspor's eleven-goal Mehmet Yıldız, so will hope the forward continues his recent scoreless form from the Turkish Cup. The likely icy conditions in Sivas are another potential hazard. Skibbe, who has centre-backs Fernando Meira and Emre Güngör suspended, and Servet Çetin and Lincoln unavailable through injury, said: "It could end up being a game of luck. The pitch will be hard and we'll need to concentrate if we're to play well." At least Baroš will be available – the Czech, with a little help from Lincoln, has registered 14 goals in as many league matches since arriving from Olympique Lyonnais, already his best seasonal haul.
Rivalry
Conditions should be milder the next day in Istanbul, but the same cannot be said for the rivalry between the two teams. That has been special ever since Fenerbahçe denied Trabzonspor a first title in 12 years with a 2-1 away win in 1996, extending a championship wait which still runs. Trabzonspor came a distant sixth last season but 20 summer signings have been blended into a fine unit by former Turkey coach Ersun Yanal.
Preparation
Trabzonspor's last league victory at Fenerbahçe was in August 1997, yet Yanal, who this week gave a professional contract to 18-year-old striker Göksu Alhas and signed Burundian defender Faty Paty, declared: "We are well prepared. We want all our training to bear fruit and we aim to return home from Istanbul on a high." Fenerbahçe coach Luis Aragonés, able to concentrate on domestic duties after his side's European exit, warned: "Trabzonspor were leaders for some time during the first half of the season and that is a clear indication of their quality. We respect them and expect a tight game. But we look forward to it."
Sivas-Gs Macı UEFA Gündeminde
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