OMM Newsroom
Sabah’s 2-0 victory over Slavia in the UEFA Champions League main phase has drawn attention in the Turkish media. The Azerbaijani club’s result has been compared with the performances of Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, who have yet to win in their first two matches.
One Turkish publication, in an article headlined “9 billion lira for one point,” highlighted the gap between the clubs’ transfer spending and their results. It noted that Sabah, whose squad is valued at 19 million euros, earned three points on a limited budget.
Transfer spending and results
According to the article, Galatasaray spent 78 million euros on transfers last summer, while Fenerbahce spent 87 million euros. The two clubs’ combined transfer spending reached 165 million euros.
Galatasaray lost 1-3 to Sporting and 1-4 to Barcelona. Fenerbahce drew 1-1 with Roma and lost 0-6 to Aston Villa. Turkish clubs therefore earned one point in two rounds and conceded a total of 14 goals. Sabah are 22nd with three points, Fenerbahce are 28th with one point, and Galatasaray are 35th without a point.
Opponents’ quality also noted
The article said the strength of the opponents should also be taken into account in making the comparison. The Turkish clubs faced Barcelona, Roma, Aston Villa and Sporting. Sabah lost 0-4 to Manchester United in the opening round before beating Slavia in its second match.
Turkish commentator Murat Özboştan wrote that the clubs’ problem was not a shortage of expensive players, but the absence of a systematic playing style. He stressed the importance of planning, discipline and a clear game model for success in Europe.
In the third round, Sabah will host Borussia Dortmund on October 20. Fenerbahce will face Slavia the same day, while Galatasaray will play away against Lille on October 21.
