Bursaspor’s journey into the unknown as they face Valencia in the UEFA Champions league
Turkish Champions Bursaspor will feature in its first Champions league bout on Tuesday night, when they face a much experienced and talented Valencia.
Bursaspor managed to pull a major upset when they clinched their first ever Turkish Super Lig title last season. It is for the first time in nearly 26 years that a non-Istanbul based club has achieved such a feat and that win has earned them a right to play against Europe’s elite.
The team under Ertugrul Saglam has reached new heights as they enter a tournament that every European club dreams of playing. They yet again top the Turkish standings thus far as they have managed to win all of their four opening contest, conceding just one goal in 360 minutes of play. Bursaspor, however, would have to go through some tough sides as they were drawn against 3 time Champions League winners Manchester United and Scottish Champions Glasgow Rangers.
Spanish heavy weights under coach Unai Emery has confirmed that even though Bursaspor has no European experience, yet they wouldn’t be taken lightly when they travel to Ataturk Stadium on Tuesday night.
"They were a little-known team, but the champions of the Turkish league are no longer that. We have the utmost respect for them. With all that we've seen we feel they are a great team," claimed Unai Emery, whose side managed to yet again feature in the tournament after two years. Valencia managed to finish third in the Spanish La Liga last season and would be welcoming their return to this prestigious tournament.
Valencia’s coach labeled the Turkish Champions to be a physical team, which employ a lot of pace in their side. The coach claimed that their aim would be to neutralize the home side’s strengths and make the most of their own. Their intention is to win and anything less than that would be a disappointment. Valencia are themselves in good nick this season as they have managed to top the La Liga table, winning both of their opening matches against Malaga and Racing Santander.
In team news, Valencia will be without star midfielder Ever Banega and winger Vicente Rodriguez owing to injuries. Other than that, Emery has managed to take a very strong and talented 20 man squad to Turkey. Emery is one up against the Turkish Champions, as they have Mehmet Topal, who has spent four years in Turkey with Turkish Giants Galatasaray. The player claimed that for Bursaspor, the home crowd advantage would be a huge factor, which would keep them going through this match. However, the player failed to establish this as a disadvantage and wants his side to go out and perform their duties well.
The Turkish claimed that Bursaspor have a lot of good players individually. Valencia would have to do a lot in order to stop them as they play strong as a single unit.
"All the teams in the Champions League are very strong, but Valencia would like to get through the group and we will do everything we can to win," claimed Mehmet Topal.
Valencia and Bursaspor still have to go tough challenges from strong British sides in the form of Manchester United and Glasgow Rangers. These two face each other today as well, in what would be a grueling encounter at Old Trafford.
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