Wesley Sneijder debut at the Galatasaray – Bestiktas derby

30/01/2013 no comments »
Wesley Sneijder debut at the Galatasaray – Bestiktas derby

On Sunday, one of the biggest derbies in European football took place as Galatasaray hosted Bestiktas in the top game of the Turkish Super Lig. Galatasaray went into the game favourites after having the home advantage, despite coming off the back of a shock 2-1 defeat to Kasimpasa.

Galatasary have already been making headlines lately with their recent January recruits, having signed both Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder from Inter Milan and today announcing the transfer of former Chelsea legend Didier Drogba on a reported 18 month long loan. However, as that deal was only announced today Drogba was of course unavailable for yesterday’s game and did not feature. Sneijder on the other hand was available after completing his reported £8.4 million move and although never started the game was brought on from the bench midway through the second half. Sneijder has won numerous league titles across Europe such as La Liga and Serie A playing for teams like Real Madrid and Inter Milan as well as a number of domestic cups, two Dutch league titles and more notably has a Champions League winners medal and a club world cup. On top of that the new Galatasaray man was also named in the 2010 FIFpro World XI.

The game its self was full of action with Galatasaray proving just about too much to handle for Besiktas as they won 2-1 despite being reduced to 10 men midway through the second half. It took just 4 minutes before the deadlock was broken with Colak heading past the Besiktas goalkeeper to give the home side the lead. This lead was then doubled just on the stroke of half time with a 45th minute goal by Albert Reira once of both Manchester City and more notably Liverpool. However, Besiktas made a game of it immediately after the restart as Sivok’s 46th minute effort pulled one back for the visiting side. Galatasaray then made hard work of it for themselves after Brazilian Felipe Melo was dismissed just after the hour mark after being showed a straight red card on the 61st minute.

However, 2-1 it stayed as the home team seen it out to gain all 3 points which now leaves the table showing them 5 points clear at the top. Bestiktas on the other hand, who could of went top with a win, find themselves dropping down into third place but level on points with Fenerbache who recorded a 2-1 victory themselves at the weekend.


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