Bursaspor will make their Champions League bow on Tuesday night, when they host Valencia at the Bursa Ataturk Stadium.
The Bursa club claimed a shock Super Lig title success last season, fending off the challenge of better fancied clubs such as Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas to claim the crown in a thrilling conclusion that saw them overhaul Fener on the very last day of the campaign. Previously, the Green Crocs had simply been experienced makeweights in the upper echelons of the Turkish game, having picked up their only previous major honour in the form of the 1986 national cup – now they are champions.
Coach Ertugrul Saglam has been credited with a good deal of the success of Bursaspor, whom have gone from strength to strength since he was introduced to the side in the early part of 2009.
The Crocs were not short on firepower last season, scoring 65 goals in their league campaign, though interestingly not one single player in their side managed to get an individual tally greater than eight. Incidentally, should they find the net against los Che on Tuesday evening, watch out for their unique ‘Crocodile Walk’ celebration, which was introduced to the club by late Ugandan forward Majid Musisi.
Already back on top of the Super Lig at the beginning of the 2010-11 season, having claimed four wins from a possible four matches, Bursaspor are ready to attempt to try and transfer their remarkable success to the European scene.
It Won’t Be Easy
Like Bursaspor, Valencia have made a perfect start to their domestic campaign, though Unai Emery’s men have only played two matches in the Primera Division. On the opening weekend of action los Che sent a warning shot to their rivals for the third Champions League spot by hammering Malaga 3-1 away from home, a result that was followed up by a narrow 1-0 success over Racing Santander at the Mestalla at the weekend.
Now the Spaniards can turn their attention towards Europe, content with their early season form. Drawn in a group alongside Manchester United, Rangers and their midweek opponents, Valencia would be strongly fancied to progress in one of the top two slots, though Mehmet Topal has been quick to warn that his countrymen won’t roll over easily.
“If we think it's going to be an easy game, we're wrong,” he told Super Deporte. “Also, when the stadium is full, the fans in Turkey, creating a very hot and forceful atmosphere. The Turkish teams rely heavily on their fans and the Turkish fans are special on these occasions.”
Hedwiges Maduro, who grabbed the decisive strike at the weekend, has already explained to Goal.com that Valencia’s form at the Mestalla will be key to their campaign. “We are in a nice group,” he stated in late August. “All home games, we should win easily. Each team will find it difficult in the Mestalla.”
Emery certainly won’t be content to have his side approach their next fixture against Manchester United off the back of a defeat, and after two morale-affirming victories los Che will be aiming for maximum points in Turkey.
TEAM NEWS
Bursaspor
Turkey international Ozan Ipek is the major concern for the home side as he has not been able to train fully during the build up to this game because of an ankle issue. Former Malaga defender Milan Stepanov has been taking part in only light training sessions of late, while Gokcek Vederson is another to have been handled with care. All three are expected to feature.
Probable Starting XI: Ivankov; Tandogan, Stepanov, Erdogan, Vederson; Ergic, Cimsir; Sen, Batalla, Ipek; Yildirim
Valencia
Los Che have been hit by a significant blow in that Ever Banega has been ruled out for a month after suffering an ankle problem in a challenge with Papakouli Diop at the weekend.
Jordi Alba and Vicente have not been convened in a 20-man squad named by Unai Emery, while Angel Dealbert hasn’t been selected either, despite being on the bench at the weekend.
Probable Starting XI: Sanchez; Miguel, R. Costa, Navarro, Mathieu; Albelda, Maduro; Joachim, Dominguez, Mata; Soldado
Prediction
Playing at home will be a great leveller for Bursaspor, who will be confident of managing at least a draw on their Champions League debuts. Fuelled by sheer adrenaline, the home side should be able to make up for anything the lack in quality by strength of will and excitement, so it would be little surprise to see them really worry Valencia, despite being a far smaller name.
Bursaspor 1-1 Valencia 
