Terim dedicates triumph to fans

By Mark Bennett in Dortmund

Galatasaray SK coach Fatih Terim had no doubt who he had to thank for the victory that kept his side in the UEFA Champions League - the fans.

Inspired display
The game had been postponed for a week and switched from Istanbul to Dortmund by UEFA for security reasons, but Galatasaray were still roared on by a partisan crowd as two Hakan Sükür goals and an inspired display of goalkeeping from Faryd Mondragón saw off already qualified Juventus FC.

Atmosphere praised
"The crowd played a huge part in our win today," said Terim. "It was a tough game for us because we were not allowed to play in Turkey, but the fans here did us proud. We have given them a lot of joy in the past and today they repaid us for it in full. To be honest I must admit that the atmosphere here in Dortmund was better than in some of the games we have played in Istanbul in the past."

Victory needed
Terim's side needed to win to have any chance of catching second-placed Real Socidedad de Fútbol, a team they now visit and have to beat next Wednesday. However, they more than held their own against the previously unbeaten Group D leaders.

'Inspired performance'
"I also want to compliment my players on a very inspired performance," Terim said. "I think the game was pretty well balanced in the first half, but after the break we took control and got the goal we needed. It was great to get the win because I fielded some very young players and they helped keep our hopes alive. The youngsters surely repaid the trust I put in them and I know that I can look to them in the future."

'Anything is possible'
Winning in Spain is no simple prospect, especially as Real triumphed 2-1 in Istanbul on Matchday 2. Despite that, Terim is optimistic. "My players set a standard that they will have to live by this evening," he said. "It is my job as a coach to make sure that we continue this form and maybe even improve on it. If we can do that then anything is possible."

Point required
Juventus had only needed a point to clinch first place in the group, and now must at least draw against Olympiacos CFP, who are already out of contention, next Wednesday. Visiting coach Marcello Lippi believed the Italian champions could have finished the job in Germany. "I feel that we were the better side throughout the first half," he said. "We had numerous chances and all that I can really criticise is the fact that we did not cash in on them."

'Not unhappy'
When asked if leaving out David Trezeguet, Pavel Nedved and Gianluigi Buffon made a difference Lippi replied: "I am not unhappy with the way the side performed; David, Pavel and Gianluigi are obviously important players. You never know how a game could have ended after it has been played."

Lippi determined
Having been defeated, though, Lippi is determined not to see his side slip up again against the Greek champions. "I said it before and I will say it again - we want to win this group because it will give us the chance of having a slightly easier task in the next round," he declared.