Under-pressure Galatasaray have bounced back from a disappointing mid-week draw in Kazakhstan, securing a 2-0 win over Istanbul team Başakşehir and giving Coach Hamza Hamzaoğlu three much needed league points.
Going into the game, Galatasaray had faced a tough task, suffering recently from poor domestic form. The club had failed to register a win over Istanbul Başakşehir last season, and press rumors had hinted that Coach Hamzaoğlu's job was on the line.
In a closely contested game with many opportunities on both sides, Galatasaray took the lead in the 77th minute when Lukas Podolski took a cross from Lionel Carole down at the back post, volleying the ball into the back of the net. The goal was hotly contested in the post-match analysis, as video replays showed the ball striking the German forward's arm.
Seven minutes later, striker Umut Bulut connected with a tight angle cross from Wesley Sneijder, knocking the ball off the cross bar and into the net.
The win gives Galatasaray a lead of 14 points, with upcoming Turkish league games to be played on Sunday and Monday.
Galatasaray fans have also been delighted by news of Dutch superstar Wesley Sneijder agreeing to a new contract until 2018.
