Wesley Sneijder and Burak Yilmaz both registered goals as a strong Galatasaray side swept aside eighth placed Kayserispor, sending out a warning to their Champions League opponents Real Madrid.
Real Madrid would have been relieved having avoided the likes of Bayern Munich, Juventus and Barcelona in the Champions League Quarter-Finals. Madrid can consider themselves partially lucky being against the weakest team on paper.
Galatasaray are the defending champions in Turkey but do not enjoy the same status in Europe, in fact since joining the prestigious European tournament back in 1956–57 Gala have only once lifted a European Cup, this was back in 1999/2000 when the Turkish giants defeated Arsenal in a penalty shootout to win the UEFA cup.
As far as Champions League is concerned, this is only the second time in twelve years that Galatasaray have managed to reach the Quarter Finals which speaks a lot about their success in the competition.
However this time around things are a little bit different than before, Galatasaray have been a different team altogether and a couple of top notch signings have provided a stepping stone for them to achieve greater things in Europe.
The high profile signing of Ivorian international Didier Drogba, was followed by the marquee signing of Wesley Sneijder in the January transfer window. Whereas Drogba has not yet found his feet at his new club, Sneijder is starting to prove his worth. The former Madrid midfielder scored the opening goal in the match against Kayserispor, putting his side ahead in the third minute.
After the match Sneijder claimed that his goal had sent out a message to his former employees, who should not take the tie lightly.
"Scoring that goal sent the message that they should be careful," the 28-year-old told reporters.
Sneijder also expressed satisfaction over his performance and asserted that he was getting better with every passing game.
“I am pleased with my performances, every day I’m getting better."
After being unfairly treated at his former club Inter Milan, and being dumped out of Madrid in favour of big names, the Dutch international will be keen to prove himself against his former employees.
Madrid’s biggest concern however will be Galatasaray's goal machine Burak Yilmaz, who along with Cristiano Ronaldo is the joint top scorer in this year’s Champions League with eight goals. The Turkish international has been in fabulous form and has notched nine goals in as many appearances this year.
The forward has been an inspiration for his team and has scored important goals, including one against English outfit Manchester United which helped the Turkish champions register their place in the round of 16 of the Champions League. The prolific striker also scored in both the encounters with Schalke 04, to guarantee Gala a Champions League Quarter Final berth for the first time in 12 years.
Yilmaz and Sneijder will both be obstacles in Madrid’s dream of clinching their 10th Champions League title. However for Gala to record a historic win over the Spanish giants, it is important that all eleven men give in their all.
Fatih Terim has now put together a formidable squad which is capable of competing with the best sides in the world, and they have proved it by coming so far. Amidst the squad are well renowned players who in the past have done very well for the biggest European clubs in the world including, former Liverpool star Albert Riera, Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo, Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué and their captain Hamit Altintop who has represented Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the past.
The team is an array of experienced international players coupled with some exciting domestic talent, and will be hoping for luck to be on their side when they face Madrid. The Spanish giants are firm favourites for the tie, but in the world of football the possibilities are endless.
Galatasaray are the defending champions in Turkey but do not enjoy the same status in Europe, in fact since joining the prestigious European tournament back in 1956–57 Gala have only once lifted a European Cup, this was back in 1999/2000 when the Turkish giants defeated Arsenal in a penalty shootout to win the UEFA cup.
As far as Champions League is concerned, this is only the second time in twelve years that Galatasaray have managed to reach the Quarter Finals which speaks a lot about their success in the competition.
However this time around things are a little bit different than before, Galatasaray have been a different team altogether and a couple of top notch signings have provided a stepping stone for them to achieve greater things in Europe.
The high profile signing of Ivorian international Didier Drogba, was followed by the marquee signing of Wesley Sneijder in the January transfer window. Whereas Drogba has not yet found his feet at his new club, Sneijder is starting to prove his worth. The former Madrid midfielder scored the opening goal in the match against Kayserispor, putting his side ahead in the third minute.
After the match Sneijder claimed that his goal had sent out a message to his former employees, who should not take the tie lightly.
"Scoring that goal sent the message that they should be careful," the 28-year-old told reporters.
Sneijder also expressed satisfaction over his performance and asserted that he was getting better with every passing game.
“I am pleased with my performances, every day I’m getting better."
After being unfairly treated at his former club Inter Milan, and being dumped out of Madrid in favour of big names, the Dutch international will be keen to prove himself against his former employees.
Madrid’s biggest concern however will be Galatasaray's goal machine Burak Yilmaz, who along with Cristiano Ronaldo is the joint top scorer in this year’s Champions League with eight goals. The Turkish international has been in fabulous form and has notched nine goals in as many appearances this year.
The forward has been an inspiration for his team and has scored important goals, including one against English outfit Manchester United which helped the Turkish champions register their place in the round of 16 of the Champions League. The prolific striker also scored in both the encounters with Schalke 04, to guarantee Gala a Champions League Quarter Final berth for the first time in 12 years.
Yilmaz and Sneijder will both be obstacles in Madrid’s dream of clinching their 10th Champions League title. However for Gala to record a historic win over the Spanish giants, it is important that all eleven men give in their all.
Fatih Terim has now put together a formidable squad which is capable of competing with the best sides in the world, and they have proved it by coming so far. Amidst the squad are well renowned players who in the past have done very well for the biggest European clubs in the world including, former Liverpool star Albert Riera, Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo, Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué and their captain Hamit Altintop who has represented Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the past.
The team is an array of experienced international players coupled with some exciting domestic talent, and will be hoping for luck to be on their side when they face Madrid. The Spanish giants are firm favourites for the tie, but in the world of football the possibilities are endless.
