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Galatasaray
Champions League | Group Stage
Sep 16, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Anderlecht

1-1

Yilmaz (91')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Praet (52')

Match Analysis: Galatasaray 1-1 Anderlecht

Sports Mole analyses Galatasaray's 1-1 draw with Anderlecht in their Group D clash in the Champions League.

Galatasaray needed an injury-time equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw with Anderlecht in their opening match of the group stages in this season's Champions League.

Dennis Praet gave the Belgian club the lead early in the second half, but Burak Yilmaz fired in late on to ensure that the two sides finished level.

The result leaves the teams joint-second in Group D, with Borussia Dortmund topping the table following their 2-0 win over Arsenal.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look both sides' performances.

Match statistics

GALATASARAY
Shots: 16
On target: 3
Possession: 56%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 14

ANDERLECHT
Shots: 12
On target: 4
Possession: 44%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 19

Was the result fair?

On the whole, a draw probably was the right result. Anderlecht had been good value for their lead after an impressive first-half showing, but they sat back and let Galatasaray keep attacking in the final 10 minutes, and it eventually proved too much. The hosts certainly produced the better of the opportunities late on, and would have felt hard done by had they not found their late equaliser.

Galatasaray's performance

The Turkish side's first-half performance was completely forgettable, as they failed to test young goalkeeper Davy Roef, who was making his Champions League debut with Anderlecht. However, they came out fighting after the break, conceding against the run of play, and threw everything at the visitors in the final 15 minutes to get themselves a point. Cesare Prandelli probably will not be happy that his players left it so late to come back, and they will need to improve if they are to challenge Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, but they certainly showed that they will not give up late in matches.

Anderlecht's performance

Anderlecht's young team caused a few surprises in the first half, stretching the hosts with their fast-paced counter-attacking play. Their positive approach earned them a well-deserved lead, but their inexperience showed in the final moments as they continued to let Galatasaray run at their goal when they should have been protecting Roef, ultimately costing them what would have been their first away win in the Champions League in nine seasons.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Ibrahima Conte: It is difficult to pick out one player from the Anderlecht side that stood about above the others, but Ibrahima Conte certainly put in a good evening's work, particularly in the first half to put Galatasaray under pressure. The midfielder had pace to spare as he ran at the home side's goal, linking up well with Yoeri Tielemans and Matias Suarez, but was not afraid to drop back and made some blocks and challenges in defence.

Biggest gaffe

Certainly the most costly error of the match came from Sacha Kljestan in the closing moments, as he gave Aurelien Chedjou bags of space near the corner flag to allow him to cross the ball in for Yilmaz, which resulted in the striker turning in the equaliser.

Referee performance

Hungarian Istvan Vad was in charge of a Champions League match for just the fourth time in his officiating career, and his inexperience showed at times. The referee tried to stamp his authority on the game with an early booking, but the challenges continued to fly in. The hosts were aggrieved that they were not awarded a penalty when there appeared to be a handball in the first half, although he did give them a free kick for a less obvious handball incident later in the game.

What next?

Galatasaray: The Turkish side face Balikesirsport and Sivasspor in the Superliga ahead of a trip to Arsenal in their next Champions League outing in 15 days.

Anderlecht: The Belgian champions have three matches before they host Borussia Dortmund in just over two weeks, starting with a league clash against Cercle Brugge this weekend.

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Galatasaray's Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo (L) vies for the ball with Anderlecht's Dennis Praet during the UEFA Champions League group D match on September 16, 2014
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