Ankaragücü travel to surprise leaders Kasimpasa on Sunday full of confidence after another fine performance in the 2-2 draw with Trabzonspor. Thievy Bifouma returns to the squad and all the new signings will also be available for selection. Alihan Kubalas and Anton Putsila continue their recovery from injury and should be available soon.
Just to put into perspective how good a start it’s been for Ankaragücü, the team only played two Pre season games and have a full new squad of players. Despite a tough start to the season the team have picked up 4 points from their opening 3 games. They are only going to get better and fitter with the more games they play and once the squad gels together.
It’s never easy trying to intergrate a large number of new players into a squad but İsmail Kartal must take huge credit for the job he and his management team have done. I know personally that he is an extremely hard working coach and as it stands it’s really paying off for him.
Kasimpasa have had a fine start to the season with impressive wins over Rizespor, Basaksehir and Sivasspor along the way. Star man Mbaye Diagne has 5 goals in those opening 3 games and has been subject to interest from clubs in England and Turkey. Trezeguet and Eduek are also dangerous players in attack for the team from Istanbul. Ankaragücü will need to find a way to prevent those 3 and reduce them to minimum opportunities. Trezeguet is a fast attacking wide player who can score and also create, while Diagne is a typical big and strong Áfrican forward who is an excellent finisher.
The defensive side of the game is where Ankaragücü need to work on most, individually the players have done well, but as a team when we attack, it leaves to much room and makes the team vulnerable to the counter attack, especially in the wide areas.
Ricardo Faty again will be key in the middle of the park for Ankaragücü, he has been outstanding breaking up play and doing all the dirty work which allows the forward players to do their work. Thievy Bifouma will come back into the team and partner Youness Mokhtar and El Kabir who have been so impressive. Mokhtar has 2 assists and a goal in his opening 3 Super Lig games.
With this being an away match, Jim will have the details of where the Kanka Group will be watching the match and anyone is welcome to joining them.
Spot on Nadeem. All credit to Kasimpasa for a great start to the season which reminds me of the start Basaksehir of Istanbul made last season.
ReplyDeleteHowever, as you rightly say, Ankaragucu has been equally impressive and confidence must be high within the squad.
I shall be very surprised if they return from Istanbul empty handed after Sunday's match.
I'll be watching the match in the Anasonn Pub (the old Chopin Bar), next to the Beer Bus Pub, in the Sakarya Area of Kizilay. KO 5.15pm. So, I'll be there at about 4.30pm. Please feel free to join me and celebrate another victorrrreeeee yessssssssssss !!!