Galatasaray relaxed ahead of CFR test

His team are bottom of their UEFA Champions League section without a point following the 2-0 home loss to SC Braga on matchday two, but Galatasaray AŞ coach Fatih Terim believes the encounter with CFR 1907 Cluj will not be decisive in determining the Istanbul club's Group H fate. Terim is calling on Galatasaray's passionate supporters to spur his players on against second-placed CFR, but with Cimbom in fear of going a fifth game without a win in all competitions, visiting boss Ioan Andone has other ideas.

Galatasaray
Coach Fatih Terim
It will not be a match which decides our destiny. We have our own playing philosophy and we never deviate from it. Maybe there will be some minor changes, but we never modify the core of the team. Cluj know that Galatasaray play with this philosophy, and we'll never compromise on it.

However, we need to play more attacking football and to press harder. Sometimes I get angry with my defence because they sit back too much. I believe that the best way to defend is by increasing your presence in the opposition half. We don't know how the game will flow, but we will be the team that controls the match. The fans are an important factor in this regard; they can give us a boost. Their support from the beginning to the end will certainly increase our motivation and concentration.

Last season we didn't have a five-match winless run. When you drop points in games you might expect to win, that can dent your confidence or put you under pressure. You need to manage moments such as this and not see it as a problem.

Weekend result
Friday: Gençlerbirliği SK 3-3 Galatasaray (Azofeifa 26, Demir 66, Durmaz 67; Bulut 54, Elmander 58, Balta 86)
Muslera; Nounkeu, Kaya, Balta, Eboué (Aydın 56); Çolak (Riera 83), Amrabat, Melo, Altıntop; Elmander, Burak (Bulut 46).

• Terim's side have gone four games without a win, Galatasaray's worst sequence since March/April 2011.

Team news
Tomáš Ujfaluši remains absent with knee ligament damage. Burak Yılmaz (knee) and Semih Kaya (hip) will be assessed after training on Monday. Selçuk İnan missed out last week with a thigh injury but is now available, while Hamit Altıntop is back following a stomach problem.

CFR
Coach Ioan Andone
It's a very important match for us. We see it as a two-game battle, and getting four points from these two games will be crucial. We are well aware that we'll be facing a team who are especially strong at home. We know they had 68% of the possession in their match against Braga. It will be a difficult challenge against a powerful opponent. Galatasaray will draw strength from their fans.

I have faith in my team, who are very well prepared for this match. I have no doubt that the match will be very entertaining. Galatasaray have lots of good international players. Their recent performances were good, too. We shouldn't pick out any individuals – they're all good players. It's just the three points that matter for us.

Weekend result
Thursday: CFR 0-1 FC Viitorul Constanţa (Iancu 20)
Felgueiras; Pinto, Maftei, Cadú, Alberto (Bjelanović 64); Mureșan, Camora, Valente (Sepsi 57); Bastos, Sougou (Hora 11); Kapetanos.

• CFR lost despite the visitors being down to ten men for the last 30 minutes. It was their third successive defeat in all competitions, their worst sequence since losing four in a row between November 2004 and April 2005.

Team news
Senegalese forward Modou Sougou is doubtful with a hamstring injury. Ciprian Deac (knee ligaments), Adam Vass (broken foot), Bakary Sare (broken leg) and Ronny (ligaments) have all been left out of CFR's UEFA Champions League squad after picking up major injuries in the opening month of the season.

Match fact
CFR are seeking a fourth straight European away victory this term having prevailed at FC Slovan Liberec and FC Basel 1893 in qualifying and Braga on matchday one. Galatasaray, by contrast, have won none of their last four home outings in UEFA competition.