Fenerbahçe is back in action this evening, playing their second consecutive Friday night game. They're hoping to improve after last week's disappointing result against Kocaelispor, but they'll face tough opposition in the renewed Green Crocs. Fener and Bursaspor kickoff at 20:00 (2 PM EST in the U.S.; 6 PM in the U.K.) from Bursa Atatürk Stadium.
Fenerbahçe entered last Friday's match with a ton of momentum. With wins over Kayserispor and two victories over Sivasspor recently, last weekend's contest seemed easy with lowly Kocaelispor on the schedule. Roberto Carlos scored just two minutes in to give the Canaries the early lead, but Julio Cesar Mendes equalized with just three minutes remaining in regulation to give Kocaeli the 1-1 draw in Istanbul. It was a blown opportunity that could have seen the Canaries move into first place in the standings.
Fener's competition in week 25 will get even tougher. Bursaspor sit seventh in the standings, but the Green Crocs are much-improved in recent weeks. They've lost only one match since Ertuğrul Sağlam took over, and the home side will have their fans' backing Friday night. Sağlam knows that a win this weekend would go a long way in helping his team gain momentum.
"This is an important game," said Sağlam. "Fenerbahçe wants to keep pace with the top, and we want to get the fifth spot." If the Crocs are going to pull off the upset, they're going to have to make major changes from their previous meetings this year. Fener and Bursa have already met three times this season with the Canaries winning all three.
The teams last met a month and a half ago in Bursa. Alex de Souza scored twice to lead the Canaries to the 3-1 victory, but the Fenerbahçe veteran will miss Friday's match with an injury. It's an opportunity that Ertuğrul Sağlam hopes to take advantage of. "Alex is an important member of the Fenerbahçe squad, especially in offense," Sağlam said. "It looks like a good thing for us, but of course the player who will take his position will try to do his best to prove himself."
Fener will get a boost in goal Friday night. Volkan Demirel returns to the lineup after a one game absence for his role in a confrontation during the Kayserispor match. The goalkeeper was originally suspended for two games, but the Turkish Football Disciplinary Committee reduced his suspension to just one game, which he served last week against Kocaelispor. Demirel is expected to start in goal Friday night against Bursaspor. In addition to Alex, Fener could be without playmaker Deivid de Souza who is also recovering from injury. Coach Luis Aragones did include Deivid in the match roster for Friday night, however.
Bursaspor has been inconsistent at home this season. They've won five matches and lost only two, but they've drawn with their opponents five times at Atatürk Stadium. Fener hasn't fared much better away from home. They have four wins on the road this season, with five losses and two draws.
One variable heading into Friday night's match is security. Bursaspor fans have shown a tendency to be a bit violent, especially in a loss to the Canaries. As a result, 1,400 police officers will be on duty for the match Friday. Additionally, at least 18 hooligans have been banned from attending the match. There will be a large contingency of yellow and navy-clad fans in addition to Green Crocs' supporters in Bursa.
Fener and Bursaspor kickoff Friday night at 20:00 (2 PM EST in the U.S.; 6 PM in the U.K) from Bursa. Halis Özkahya will be the referee for this weekend's contest. Fans can watch the game live on Lig TV, as well as online at www.digiturkwebtv.com.
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