Galatasaray seems to be ready in the Champions League after Wednesday evening. The team of trainer Fatih Terim lost no less than 5-1 at PSV, which therefore has an excellent starting position for next week’s reunion in Istanbul. Because the away goals rule has been abolished from this season, PSV may lose by a maximum of three goals difference to be sure of the next preliminary round. Terim did not make himself (more) popular among Galatasaray’s supporters with his statements at the press conference afterwards.
Galatasaray has not won a single prize in the past two years and the start of the new season on Eindhoven soil does not bode well. “PSV has won and they will probably go through to the next round,” said the Turkish trainer afterwards. “They are at least one step closer. They have played better and they have won comfortably. Galatasaray fans will understand better after tonight why I need three years to get this Galatasaray to a higher level. We will do our very best to turn this situation around next week.”
DREAM START! Eran Zahavi takes advantage of fumbling on Galatasaray’s side. The people of Eindhoven are already at 1-0 within two minutes! #PSVGAL #UCL pic.twitter.com/BNDU85TCYN
— VTBL ? (@vtbl) July 21, 2021
Galatasaray’s European results in Terim’s fourth period at the club are nothing short of dramatic: three wins, four draws and no less than 11 defeats in 18 encounters. Terim’s statements about ‘the three-year plan’ therefore do not please the majority of Galatasaray supporters, partly because he has been selected for the selection of CimBom state. “Why does he need three years? Why? for what? So that PSV can only win 4-1?!?”, is one of the many thousands of reactions, in which people clearly express their anger towards the 67-year-old coach.
Journalist Çetin Cem Yilmaz also questions Terim’s statements. “He asks for patience over the next three years, to build a new team. The selection is of course not perfect, but these players should at least not concede five goals from a good club, but not a top club. Eight of the eleven basic forces against PSV lost the national title in May by two goals difference,” he refers to the battle for the national championship in Turkey, where fellow townsman Besiktas was allowed to uncork the champagne on the basis of goal difference.
At the press conference, Terim was also asked why Galatasaray played with Ryan Babel in the point of the attack and he chose three central defenders. “Who wonders that? You?”, he replied when a journalist indicated ‘that this question is relevant’ after the game. The journalist replied that it was a ‘general comment’. Terim: “Some positions had to be filled differently because we don’t have a permanent player there yet. This was the best possible setup. Radamel Falcao and Mostafa Mohamed are not ready yet,” the former Turkey national coach assured.
Babel was replaced by Mohamed after 61 minutes, while Falcao only came in for Kerem Aktürkoglu one minute before the end. “We thought it more appropriate to bring them slowly,” Terim defended his decision. “Everyone can have their opinion after a defeat, but this was our game plan. However, if you concede such goals at this level, there is no stopping it and it can add up quickly.” PSV or Galatasaray await a meeting with Celtic or FC Midtjylland in the next round.