Van Gaal planning pays off

FC Barcelona coach Louis van Gaal was full of praise for his side after their 2-0 defeat of Galatasaray SK at the Ali Sami Yen stadium in UEFA Champions League Group H, claiming that his preparations for the game paid off handsomely.

Inspirational Luis Enrique
Barça were thoroughly dominant, with the inspired Luis Enrique hitting his 100th goal in his 250th appearance for the club. The former Real Madrid CF star showed his class after the interval, initiating the majority of the Azulgrana’s best moves and sealing the win on 59 minutes when he powerfully headed past Galatasaray’s Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon.

Kluivert opener
Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert had paved the way for victory on 27 minutes when he turned his marker after a precise pass from impressive midfield player Thiago Motta to drill in his second goal of the season.

Van Gaal delight
Van Gaal was delighted with the result, which puts the Spanish side top of the section with six points from two games after the 3-2 victory over Club Brugge KV last week. “We’re very happy with this outcome,” he said. “We controlled the whole match and we could have scored more.”

‘Easier for us to win’
The Dutchman also admitted that the home team’s tactics turned out to his advantage. “Galatasaray also had their chances but generally they played offensively so that made it easier for us to win. In the last 12 days we’ve had four victories and I’m pleased about that. My players are tired but I will motivate them before the next game."

Secret of success
He then explained the secret behind the success, only the second victory for a Spanish side at the Ali Sami Yen for 28 years after Barça also defeated the Istanbul team last term. “I analysed Galatasaray’s game against [FC] Lokomotiv [Moskva] last week, when the Turkish side won 2-0, and I explained the way I wanted my players to perform. Our rivals changed their playing system three times during the game so I also had to change mine - but we ended up with the three points.”

Terim disappointment
Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim was disappointed to see his side outplayed so comprehensively at home. “We started the game well but the first goal shocked us. Then we let in the second and my players accepted the situation and hardly tried to score from there on in. Naturally, we ended up on the wrong end of the result.”

Philosophical acceptance
Terim, however, refused to give up hope, and did his best to accept the defeat philosophically. “We lost today but the important thing is to qualify for the second phase of the Champions League. I changed tactics during the game but football is like chess. You can make mistakes even if you think carefully.” Barcelona’s next outing in the tournament is a trip to the Russian capital to meet Lokomotiv, while Galatasaray will look to get back on track against Brugge at home.