Anderlecht vs Galatasaray preview - Prandelli not fazed by critics

Posted Wednesday, November 26, 2014 by PA

Galatasaray coach Cesare Prandelli does not feel any extra pressure on his shoulders heading into Wednesday night's Champions League match with Anderlecht, despite the Turkish club's lacklustre start to the season.

Gala are currently third in the Super Lig standings behind Besiktas and Fenerbahce, having slipped to a 3-0 defeat against Trabzonspor last weekend, and are bottom of Champions League Group D with a single point from four matches.

Prandelli, who took over from Roberto Mancini in the summer, has seen his side lose three domestic games so far and, with the exception of a 1-1 draw against Anderlecht, concede four goals in each of their European fixtures to date.

Wednesday's contest could signal the end of their Champions League adventure if they lose again in Belgium, but Prandelli is not ready to throw in the towel just yet.

"We have a tough match ahead of us," he told Gala's official website. "Anderlecht have become the finished article in recent years.

"On the other hand, this match is very important to us and we need to win. We don't have time to feel pressure on the pitch. I'm expecting the team to be fast and aggressive.

"Criticism is part of our trade. I feel no pressure from the board. If we win tomorrow we will be back in business in the Champions League. We don't need any more motivation than that."

Anderlecht are third in the group, one point better off than their opponents, and are not out of the running for a top-two finish either even though they are also without a win so far.

Home advantage is expected to work in their favour, yet coach Besnik Hasi insists it would be wrong to write off Gala despite their poor form of late.

"Anderlecht are not the favourites tomorrow," he told a press conference.

"It will be a very tough match, even though Galatasaray are on a downward spiral. They have a lot of experience and a squad of top, top players.

"A wounded animal can be very dangerous."

Defender Semih Kaya could return for Galatasaray but Hakan Balta is injured and Blerim Dzemaili misses out due to suspension.