AVRUPA BASININDA GALATASARAY

Galatasaray hit on winning formula

With a new formation harnessing the talents of world-class signings Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba, Türker Tozar thinks Galatasaray AŞ can cause Real Madrid CF problems.

Galatasaray AŞ have a tough tie against Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid CF in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, but the Turkish giants are full of confidence going into the Santiago Bernabéu first leg, with experienced coach Fatih Terim having found the ideal formation to harness big-name signings Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba.

After Galatasaray landed Sneijder and Drogba in January, the question was how Terim would fit so many forward-minded players into his team. Following some unsuccessful experiments, Terim hit on the perfect 4-3-1-2 formula in the 3-2 win at FC Schalke 04 that sent his side into the last eight. Subsequent domestic victories against Kayserispor and İstanbul BB SK seemed to present further proof of the system's effectiveness.

Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera has done a good job all term, while his defensive quartet includes Ivorian right-back Emmanuel Eboué – back on form since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. Eboué offers vital attacking support, with Albert Riera providing a similar service down the left. The biggest pressure ahead of the Madrid game may be on central defenders Semih Kaya and Dany Nounkeu, though. They have struggled against weaker European opponents than José Mourinho's team – and even in Turkey – but can they rise to the occasion?

Meanwhile, after a difficult end to his time with FC Internazionale Milano, Sneijder appears fit and hungry, with his class and creativity increasingly visible, while in attack Drogba and Burak Yılmaz have struck up a partnership quickly. The 35-year-old Ivorian might have been expected to play as a classic centre-forward but has accepted a supporting role, supplying the ammunition for Burak to apply the finishing touches. Moreover, Drogba has been doing his bit in defence.