With a perfect record in the Super League and 10 wins in 12 games across all competitions, Galatasaray arguably looks to be the country's strongest team. While Frank Rijkaard’s Lions seek to continue their shooting spree, opponents will try to come up with ways to stop the free-scoring Galatasaray, which currently averages more than three goals per game



STRIKE FORCE: A familiar scene from Galatasaray's 2009-2010 campaign: The Lions celebrate another goal. AP photo
Turkcell Super League leader Galatasaray looks to continue its magical form when it takes on Kasımpaşa on Monday in the closing game of the season’s sixth match day.

Galatasaray joins Fenerbahçe as the only unbeaten teams in the league, and the Lions now appear to be the country’s strongest squad. A 3-1 victory over Greece’s Panathinaikos only five days after beating arch-rival Beşiktaş 3-0 has once again shown that Galatasaray’s offense is almost unstoppable, although it has its undeniable flaws on defense.

The Istanbul side had little trouble beating Panathinaikos in a Europa League game on Thursday, thanks to an early goal by Elano Blumer. Greek defender Stergos Marinos failed to clear the ball after a cross by Galatasaray’s Milan Baros in the fifth minute of the game, and the Brazilian was there to apply the finish when he found the ball in front of the net.

That was a similar start for Galatasaray to the Beşiktaş match and shows one of the Lions’ strong points. When coach Frank Rijkaard’s team takes the lead early, it becomes difficult to stop, since its attacking line – consisting of wingers Harry Kewell and Abdel Kader Keita alongside forward Baros and attacking midfielders Elano and Arda Turan – is at its most difficult to defend when given a little breathing room.

Galatasaray won the game against Panathinaikos with a counterattack finished by Baros and a free-kick goal by Elano. The Lions beat Beşiktaş in a similar way, with one early goal followed by two later counterattack points.

But Galatasaray still allowed both Beşiktaş and Panathinaikos to find a lot of space, even after taking the lead. The Lions’ goalkeeper, Leo Franco, was tested many times in both games and conceded only one goal, but Rijkaard should seek ways to limit opposing chances by improving his team’s defense.

So far, Galatasaray has been untroubled by its defensive woes, winning 10 of 12 games across all competitions this season.

When asked for the secret behind Galatasaray’s near-perfect run, assistant manager Johan Neeskens said that it is no big mystery.

“There are no secrets to this,” said the former Dutch midfielder. “This is an important statistic, but we need to work hard to maintain it.

“There is no doubt that this is what we are going to do.”

Against Kasımpaşa, which is the only Turkcell Super League team without a point, Galatasaray will look to extend its run. The game at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district will be interesting in that it brings together the standings’ polar opposites.

While Galatasaray will try to continue its winning ways, hapless Kasımpaşa will look to stop the Istanbul giant’s powerful attack.

Kasımpaşa manager Mehmet Süha Sidal agreed that the game would be interesting.

“Both teams have scored a five-for-five so far,” said Sidal. “We lost five games, and they won five. It’s going to be interesting, but we aim to get one point at least.”

Although catching the game could have been a nice outing for Galatasaray fans on the second day of the Ramadan bayram, it is likely that most can’t afford it, since Kasımpaşa set ticket prices at 120 and 500 Turkish Liras. Compare that to Kasımpaşa’s season tickets, which were on sale until last month for 100 liras each.

Fener takes on Municipality

Galatasaray’s arch-rival Fenerbahçe is the only other team with a perfect record in the league, but its recent games showed signs that the Yellow Canaries may be losing their tempo.

A 2-1 home loss to Dutch side FC Twente in the Europa League on Thursday raised questions about Fenerbahçe’s recent form. Despite winning all five games in the league, Fener failed to convince with its performance, as victories over Manisaspor and Bursaspor proved more difficult than expected.

But Fenerbahçe coach Christoph Daum said his team will learn from its defeat against FC Twente.

“That loss will make us stronger, I am sure of it,” said Daum.

Fenerbahçe welcomes Istanbul Municipality on Sunday. The Yellow Canaries have suffered defeats against their lowly neighbor in recent years, but this time, the Municipality side will be reeling from a 6-1 demolition at the hands of Trabzonspor.

Beşiktaş, which was beaten 1-0 by Manchester United in a Champions League game on Tuesday, will take on Kayserispor on Saturday. The defending champions have won only a single game this season and are scoreless in their last four games, so the Black Eagles will seek an upturn in form against a solid Kayserispor side