Today the main event was the press conference by Galatasaray head coach Hamza Hamzaoglu and player Yasin Oztekin prior to the Champions League 2nd week game against Astana which will be played on Wednesday.
The conference was mainly focussed with praising skills of Astana and difficulties which could arise of synthetitic pitch with the players.
The main aspect which was seen at conference is that both Hamzaoglu and Oztekin does not have much information about strenghts and style of play Astana which led for both to only mention that their opponent is are strong team. Lack of understanding of the opponent on the other hand, could be strong side for Kazak team as it may bring some surprising actions against Turkish giants.
It should be realised that every single team which is at group stage at the Champions League could not qualify as weak, so therefore it is reasonable to expect some surprises brought by Astana, even through it is unclear which ones.
Another important note which been mentioned by Hamzaoglu that it is too early to put Atletico Madrid as favourites to finish top at the group. Hamzaoglu might be right as Atletico is capable of losing some points at the group, especially against Benfica. If Galatasaray, thinks Atletico as main opponent it might not be prepared to Benfica performance at group and will finish at 3rd spot at best.
Match-fixing polemics (even through slightly) between Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor has begun again
With the match-fixing case being reopened by the Turkish court (upcoming court proceeding will take place on on 5th October), polemics between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce has been taken into newer actions.
Today Trabzonspor CEO Ibrahim Haciosmoglu has talked to the media while team was preparing for game against Konyaspor. Among the questions regarding to Fenerbahce CEO Aziz Yildirim comment that he would give title to Trabzonspor if proven quilty, Haciosmanoglu states he does not take following statement seriously. He also adds that Yildirim might believe that he would be acquanted if he makes those comments.
Haciosmanoglu has said that he cant give more detailed comment about this, as club gets disciplinary penalty from Turkish Football Federation.
Both teams, since July 2012, during investigation and initial case has said many harsh and unsportive arguments towards each other, so it will be productive for all parties to stay quiet while those court proceedings take place.
Burhan Eser has right to wear any wristbands that he wants
Another news which didnt make to the headlines but needs important part of this blog is Sivasspor announcement about Burhan Eser tricolour wrist. The fact, that club was forced to make this announcement arleady shows tragic-comedic side of all the storyline.
Sivasspor was forced to make an announcement after Turkish Cup game against Diyarbakirspor where media has claimed that tricolour wristband represent Kurdish terrorist group PKK in Turkey. As the club has announced, Burhan Eser was wearing same wrists for all his career and it gives him good luck.
It is sad that media and football fans, without any proofcheck, seems to come to conclusions to everything which their see and blame footballers of things which their not done, especially when it comes to issues such as terrorism.
Yildiz reappointment shows that, whole team failed with Grosskreutz.
After 20 days of presenting his resignation to the Galatasaray, Sports Director Assistant Ugur Yildiz, has been once again appointed to the same position by administration team.
Reason of his resignation was been presented of not ending successfully transfer of Borussia Dortmund player Kevin Grosskreutz.
After his resignation, there were rumours in Turkey that reason of failed transfer was whole administration team, and Ugur Yildiz was chosen so everyone would just blame one man rather than whole team. The fact that Ugur Yildiz is back to his post once again raises conspiracy that Yildiz was chosen as skapegoat of whole incident.
Schedule for tomorrow
Champions League, Group C
19:00 Astana vs Galatasaray
21:45 Atletico Madrid - Benfica
In other news:
- Bursaspor: We are as club give full support to Ertuglul Saglam. Saglam credibility can't be measured with 5 games. Following announcement was made after number of fans had chanted resignation to Saglam during game against Eskisehirspor.
- Astana head coach Stanimir Stoilov: Bulgarians fans will support Astana. Its important game for us, we try best to win it. I am still supporting Fenerbahce so this game is important to me.
- Fenerbahce adminstrator Mahmut Uslu was referred to disciplinary committee due comments made following game against Besiktas.
-Stadium representative Nezir Aydin was was referred to disciplinary committee due of posts at anti-sportmanship post at social media.
- Besiktas was referred to disciplinary committe due of "cursing chants" and "actions during game" due of actions taken in game against 6th week game against Fenerbahce .
-Fenerbahce:News about calling Robin van Persie manager to Istanbul is not true. So is van Persie said that without him team wont win Besiktas.
- Torku Konyaspor: We are surprised with news circulating in internet about resignation of Aykut Kocaman and thosenews doesnt represent truth.
