ANKARA
The result of Sunday's world famous football derby between Istanbul rivals Fenerbahce and Galatasaray is unpredictable, a Turkish lawmaker and former football player said on Saturday.
"It is difficult to forecast the result of such kind of derbies; however, the team, who stays calm and determined in this stressful match, wins the game," Alpay Ozalan, 46, told Anadolu Agency.
The former Turkish central defender told how Galatasaray's last road victory against Fenerbahce at Kadikoy was in 1999, over two decades ago with 2-1.
Galatasaray hope to break the dry spell, while Fenerbahce want to maintain their supremacy on their home ground, Ulker Stadium.
The visitors' long-term poor form at Kadikoy "caused a different kind of stress for the Galatasaray community. Perhaps Fenerbahce could win the derby thanks to the home ground and audience advantage; however, the result of such kind of derbies could be uncertain," said Ozalan.
Since 1999, Fenerbahce have been dominant on their home ground, winning 15 derby matches against Galatasaray. A total of eight matches ended in draws.
Since December 1999, Galatasaray, the visiting team, have been unable to taste victory in 23 matches at Fenerbahce's stadium, including 20 Turkish Super Lig games.
"I hope Turkish football gets the best of the derby and I also wish the referee good luck," said the ex-Aston Villa defender.
Halil Umut Meler, 33, will officiate the match.
More than fitness
Ozalan said that fitness does not usually matter for this derby as it has some other factors; blending emotions and enthusiasm, and keeping nerves under control are essential to be the victor.
"In such derbies, it is not important to be fit or not. Players who combine their enthusiasm and emotion with their fans in the stadium and manage to stay calm are always the winning party," Ozalan said.
Fenerbahce were also relentless when they faced Galatasaray at home, scoring 44 goals in 23 matches while only conceding 15.
Neither sides can wait for the week 23 clash on Sunday.
Sunday's derby will kick off at 7 p.m. local time (1600GMT).
Things are getting hot on top of the Super Lig as the premier division has been witnessing a fiery race for the 2020 title. Trabzonspor topped the league with 44 points and they have an additional match to play.
The second-placed Medipol Basaksehir have 43 points, followed by Galatasaray and Demir Grup Sivasspor with 42 points each.
Aytemiz Alanyaspor are sitting fifth with 39 points while Fenerbahce are in the sixth place with 38 points.
Both teams carry on despite absences
Galatasaray's Gabonese midfielder Mario Lemina, and Fenerbahce's Turkish veteran Emre Belozoglu and Brazilian midfielder Luiz Gustavo will miss the derby due their injuries.
Ozalan said that Lemina, Gustavo and Emre are important players for their teams but the Galatasaray or Fenerbahce will not suffer despite these absentees.
"However, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are big teams. The substitutes are at least as qualified as Lemina, Gustavo and Emre," Ozalan remarked.
"I don't think that Galatasaray or Fenerbahce will feel the lack of these players," he added.
Born in 1973, Ozalan made 90 appearances for the Turkish national team to be this country's seventh-most capped player of all time.
Ozalan was one of the integral parts in Turkey's defense as he participated in the UEFA EURO 1996 held in England and EURO 2000 co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium.
In addition, he helped Turkey win a bronze in the 2002 FIFA World Cup held by South Korea and Japan.
Before his retirement in 2008, Ozalan played for Turkish football's powerhouses Besiktas and Fenerbahce and English Premier League club Aston Villa, Germany's FC Koln, and Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds.
