galatasaray keep bordeaux at bay published: wednesday 18 february 2009, 22.30cet
marouane chamakh went closest for the hosts while harry kewell was denied by ulrich ramé as both sides lacked the killer touch in bordeaux.
despite both sides creating plenty of chances, fc girondins de bordeaux and galatasaray aş could not find the killer touch in a goalless draw at the stade chaban-delmas in the uefa cup round of 32.
goalkeepers dominate marouane chamakh went closest for the hosts in the game's initial stages while harry kewell had a close-range effort brilliantly saved as both goalkeepers performed admirably in bordeaux. after playing much of the match on the back foot, galatasaray will be the happier team going into their home leg next thursday.
chamakh chances the ligue 1 side sprung quickly out of the blocks with yoann gourcuff firing narrowly wide in the sixth minute. with their next attack, chamakh slammed a header against the crossbar and, picking up the ball less than a minute later, sent in a long-range shot which brought the first save out of visiting goalkeeper morgan de sanctis.
ramé save former olympique lyonnais striker milan baroš looked galatasaray's most likely source of goals but the czech could do no more than blaze over after being released by kewell. soon after, in the 19th minute, the turkish team had their best opportunity as ayhan akman found space on the left and his pinpoint cross was met by kewell five metres out. however, goalkeeper ulrich ramé denied the australian and, after the frenetic early exchanges, both sides struggled to carve out clear openings.
tight second half the second period began cautiously, with gourcuff the only player to threaten the deadlock. the on-loan ac milan man shot wide from distance before forcing de sanctis into a sharp stop. ramé was soon back in action as galatasaray enjoyed their best spell – shabani nonda tested the keeper and sabri sarıoğlu could only put his follow-up over. both teams mustered decent efforts as the match drew to a close, but neither could break the shackles and they will start all-square in istanbul next week.
