Peseiro's brave Braga prosper in Istanbul
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
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José Peseiro claimed his SC Braga side were "immense in defence" during their 2-0 win at Galatasaray AŞ, whose coach Fatih Terim said: "Turkish league-standard won't do."
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Fatih Terim, Galatasaray coach
We absolutely dominated the match. Unfortunately, we conceded from their first dangerous opportunity. We had controlled the game until the 27th minute. We looked for the equaliser but couldn't find it. Although we played really well, we couldn't get the fruit of football - in other words, the goal. We started the second half well and we were the dominant side until ten minutes from time. Even after that, we kept going for it, but still we failed to score.
The Champions League is a top-level competition. The standard is something else. Turkish league-standard performances won't do here. We have to be realistic. Some of our players have to show their class. Braga are not a more prestigious team than us. We'll gain more experience by playing matches like this. My players need to learn to play more professionally.
It's true that our chances of qualifying are weaker now, but we'll never give up. Of course, United are the favourites to win the group. Just because we made one or two signings, we were regarded as a dream team, but it's not that easy.
José Peseiro, Braga coach
We would have liked to have controlled possession better but Galatasaray made it very difficult for us. We were immense in defence and more of a threat on the break. We had the best chances. I have to praise the will, strength and quality of my players. We didn't shake in the face of their attacking onslaught. We stood tall. It was a great match in an extraordinary atmosphere. It was a fair result.