Bursaspor vs Ankaragücü match preview!

It’s six years since we have saw one of Turkeys most unique spectacles in the Turkish Football calendar. A country plagued with football violence, and Tifo displays the match between Bursaspor and Ankaragücü brings a different side to the game, through friendship where both sets of fans sing each other’s songs and support each other apart from when they play against each other.

My second trip to Ankara was a home match against Bursaspor where we lost 5-1 at home. The Ankaragücü fans were unhappy with the teams performance and when goals 4 and 5 went in they cheered for Bursa. Not something us British fans can understand but there is so much history between the two clubs started by Abdulkerim Bayraktar, a Bursaspor fan who studied in Ankara and went to Ankaragücü games. After he passed away the two clubs formed a friendship that has stayed strong to this day.

The fortunes of both Bursaspor and Ankaragücü couldn’t be further apart over recent years. Bursaspor have won a Turkish Super Lig title, played champions league football and been a mainstay in Turkish football. Ankaragücü on the other hand have been relegated twice, promoted twice and had also sorts of financial problems.

After week 7 of the Super Lig, Ankaragücü are 5 points ahead of Bursaspor who are 2nd from bottom and have yet to win a game. They also have financial problems of their own all while things are starting to look up for Ankaragücü.

Bursaspor have struggled to score goals this season which has resulted in them drawing 5 and losing 2 of their first 7 games. They do however have Diafra Sakho the ex West Ham striker who is an excellent player when he is fit and will be their main dangerman in attack if he plays. Former Ankaragücü trio Umut Nayir, Onur Atasayer and Emre Tasdemir can also be called upon.

The two sides met in pre season in Bursa with Ankaragücü comfortably winning 2-0. A lot has changed since then and although they haven’t started the season well Bursaspor are more than capable of winning this match.

Ankaragücü can look to take advantage and try and play the Bursa crowd against their own team. They are already unhappy with how things are going and an early goal for Ankaragücü could make it difficult for the Bursa players to come back from as the crowd will be on their back.

Ankaragücü will be looking to get back to winning after a disappointing 1-0 loss against Antalyaspor last night at home. Ismail Kartal will be hoping to have Djedje, Moulin and Pinto back although it’s unlikely the later will be available.

The Kanka Group will be travelling to the match with tickets going on sale tomorrow. My flight is on Thursday afternoon which gets me in early Friday morning. Looking forward to seeing everyone again. See you soon guys