Group C
Erik Gerets is looking forward to encountering former team-mate Ronald Koeman when his Galatasaray side entertain PSV Eindhoven in UEFA in Istanbul.
Gerets spent over a decade in Eindhoven as player and then coach, playing alongside Koeman in PSV’s 1987 European Cup triumph.
“We can be friends after the game, but not before,” Gerets said of PSV boss Koeman. “Although I will meet many old acquaintances and it will be a special occasion, we must win this match at all costs.”
With just one point from their opening two Champions League matches, Galatasaray need a win to mainatin their qualification prospects.
“If you lose a couple of games, sure there’s pressure,” Gerets admitted. “Winning this game is important. After we drew with Bordeaux, we need a win here. It will be a tall order, but I feel we stand a chance.”
Galatasaray, meanwhile, are missing only one regular in Hasan ?as, who has failed to overcome a strain picked up playig for Turkey. Koeman believes the loss of the influential midfielder is potentially decisive.
“Obviously we’ll see how this plays out on the pitch, but I think it’s a huge setback for Galatasaray,” he said.
?as’s absence means Hakan ?ukur will make a rare start for Gala. Although, after scoring four for Tueky in last week’s victory over Moldova, the veteran has clearly not lost his scoring prowess.
“I’ve played against Hakan, you don’t have to tell me how dangerous he is in front of goal,” Koeman said.
Probable teams
Galatasary: Faryd Mondragón; Sabr? Sar?o?lu, Stjepan Tomas, Orhan Ak; Arda Turan, Ayhan Akman, Junichi Inamoto, Ayd?n Y?lmaz, Saša Ili?; Ümit Karan; Hakan ?ükür.
PSV: Heurelho Gomes; Jan Kromkamp, Alex, Carlos Salcido, Michael Reiziger; Edison Méndez, Timmy Simons, Phillip Cocu; Ibrahim Afellay, Arouna Koné, Jefferson Farfán.
