Terim plots Gala renaissance

Fatih Terim believes Galatasaray can reclaim their place among Europe’s elite following the Champions League draw in Monaco on Thursday.

The Turkish giants won the Super Lig last season, and have been rewarded with a place in Group H, alongside Manchester United, Braga and CFR Cluj.

They return to the Champions League after a four-year absence and Terim is determined to make it a successful comeback.

“Let this be a good campaign for the entire Galatasaray community,” he told reporters.

“Europe missed Turkey, and so too Galatasaray. I hope it will be a long European adventure.”

Reflecting on Galatasaray’s opponents in the group, Terim is aware of the threat Manchester United pose, but he hopes to cause a major upset in this year’s competition.

“Manchester United are a team who everybody must respect,” he said.

“Many years ago, Galatasaray enjoyed victory over Manchester United. I hope we can repeat that,” he added, referring to the Turkish club’s second-round victory over Alex Ferguson’s team in the 1993/94 European Cup.

Terim was also complimentary toward Portuguese Braga, and said Galatasaray will treat each of their opponents in the group with equal respect.

“Braga have done well in recent years,” he said.

“Football is a serious business and we shouldn’t underestimate anybody.

“This will be our key principle. We set our target of qualifying from the group a long time ago.”

“Matches are won on the pitch. Therefore we’ll prepare in the best way we can to achieve this. I was going to say the same regardless of the teams we were paired with.

“I don’t rely on luck. I never have. If you don’t put in enough effort, you may finish fourth in this group. Without thinking of the power of our opponents, we must our own game.”

Galatasaray begin their Champions League campaign away to Manchester United on September 19.