Giants clash in Turkish Super Cup

MANİSA

Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray will renew Turkish football’s greatest rivalry in the Turkish Super Cup game in the Aegean province of Manisa today.

The meeting between Super League winner Fenerbahçe and Turkish Cup titleholder Galatasaray will mark the official start of the new season in Turkish football, with the domestic league set to start this weekend.

The game will also mark the third consecutive time the two fierce rivals have clashed for the Super Cup. In the last two years, Galatasaray, coming into the game as the league winner beat Fenerbahçe, then the two-time cup holder.

Didier Drogba broke the deadlock in extra time in the two giants’ Super Cup meeting in Kayseri last year, while the Lions beat their rivals 3-2 in Erzurum in 2012.

Tonight’s game will mark the competitive debut games for both teams’ coaches. Italian Cesare Prandelli, who succeeded his fellow compatriot Roberto Mancini at the helm of Galatasaray, and İsmail Kartal, who took over after the resignation of title-winning gaffer Ersun Yanal, will officially start their mandates with the derby.

Brazilian attacking midfielder Diego may also make his Fenerbahçe debut after completing his move from Atletico Madrid.

Tonight’s game starts at 8:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ATV.