Remember Istanbul 1993?

Cantona sent off Istanbul

United face Besiktas for the first time this Tuesday – however United have travelled to the depths of Istanbul before.  It hard to believe that the 0-0 draw against Galatasaray was sixteen years ago next month – when United were eliminated from the European Cup – the first time a United side competed since being knocked out by AC Milan way back in 1969.  United faced an uphill struggle having drawn 3-3 at Old Trafford in the first leg – and a scoreless draw was enough to see the Turkish side through to the third round.  Many United fans will remember the hostility that faced them and also the dangers that faced the players on the pitch that night.

Eric Cantona was sent off and smacked on the back of the head by a Turkish policeman as United were send crashing out of Europe.  It was an extremely disappointing night, which highlighted the naviety and ignornance of English teams playing in Europe’s pristine competition.  Bryan Robson recalls how he ran to the aid of Eric who was being clattered down the stairs.  Chants of ‘no way out’ and banners stating ‘Welcome to Hell’ combined with little protection from the authorities meant that United were always going to have an uphill struggle to get a result.  Having said that both United and Turkish football have come a long was since 1993 and United travel to city rivals Besiktas – whom we’ve never played before.

Ironically Besiktas have just been spanked 3-0 by Galatasaray so aren’t going into the game  with sky high confidence.  United on the other hand are coming off the back of a magnificent performance over Tottenham Hotspur and should be optimistic about getting a result in Turkey.  So who are Besiktas?  They’re the current Turkish Super League champions – so Tuesday will see the best of England against the best of Turkey (expect for last Saturday).  The football club was founded in 1903 and have won the Turkish Superb League thirteen times.  One man that we’ll have to watch out for is Bobo.  He may sound like a overly large teddy bear – but young Bobo was the Turkish League’s top scorer last season.  Although uncapped by the national team –  Bobo has be called into the squad only to sit on the bench for the whole game (against Ireland in February).  You may also remember Rustu Recber – the Turkish goalie – apparently he doesn’t like a moving ball.  Kinda a prerequisite for a keeper if you ask me:

“Ever since 2002 all of the adidas balls that have been introduced have changed speed in the air,”

“The flight is not normal and it has made everything very difficult for goalkeepers. It is not just me and Casillas, ask any goalkeeper in the world and they will say the same thing. It has affected all of us. You could be the best goalkeeper in the world and it would not make any difference because of the flight.

“But for everyone to keep on watching the Champions League it must be entertaining and for that to happen, goals must be scored. That’s why these balls have been introduced, even though it does put goalkeepers at a disadvantage.”

Ask any goalkeeper in the world you say Rustu?  Mr Taibi agrees immensley I’ve heard….

Remember other trips to Turkey?  We beat Fenerbache 2-0 back in 1996 but lost for the first time at Old Trafford in 40 years of the European Cup.  Bolic scored the only goal of the game after United went in search for the win.  Those days United were very naive when playing foreign opposition and rarely played a counter attacking game.  We steam-rollered Juventus in the same season – although the Turin club came away with a 1-0 win after a penalty from Alessandro Del Piero.  We had to wait nearly ten years to play against Fenebarche – when in the 2004-05 season the Turks got a pasting at Old Trafford – and Mr Wayne Rooney scored a hattrick on his United debut.  Other noticeable Turkish opposition is again – those old rascals – Galatasaray, who we played in the 1994/95 season.  A bore draw in Istanbul lead to the final group game.

Tensions were high as both sides were playing for…..absolutely nothing!  A young superstar known as Simon Davies scored that night, and some other bloke called David Beckham.  Roy Keane scored the other before what was quite possibly one of the best own goals scored at Old Trafford.  Unfortunately I can’t find the footage – so you’ll have to laugh at this.  But trust me for who can remember – it was hilarious.  Eric broke down the left wing, crossed the ball in and the defender comically sliced the ball over his head – past the keeper.  United’s 94/95 European campaign was over for another year (it would actually turn out to be two years) but Galatasaray made sure that every Red went home that night laughing.

2 Comments on Remember Istanbul 1993?

  1. Yes it was Bulent who scored the own goal. Quite a peach! I think there was a slim chance of us qualifying that night, we required something like a 6 goal swing from Gothenburg beating Barca or the other way around, something fantastically unrealistic, yet being a 13 year old lad I was still gutted when we went out!!

    The timing of this game might actually turn out to be a benefit for us. It’s the first game so there’s probably less pressure as there isn’t anything riding on it – if it was the last group game and we needed a result I’d be more nervous. As it is, it’s potentially the most awkward game (certainly atmosphere wise) out of the way early on. For that reason I feel we’ll probably get a comfortable win.

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