Mancini on eve of debut TT Arena appearance

Italian coach Roberto Mancini will make his home debut as his Galatasaray hosts Kardemir Karabükspor in the Spor Toto Super League on Oct. 19.

Mancini is yet to taste victory with Galatasaray after two games at the helm but will try to lead the two-time defending champions to victory against Karabükspor, a team that has given the Lions problems since being promoted in the 2011-12 season.

Galatasaray snatched a key 2-2 draw at Juventus on Mancini’s debut, but five days later, lost 2-1 to Akhisar in his league debut.

After six matches, Galatasaray is 13th with one win, four draws and a loss. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) is yet to award three points to Galatasaray since its Sept. 22 derby against Besiktas was halted due to fans’ pitch invasion in the last minute. Galatasaray was leading 2-1 at the time.

Mancini was brought in after the club’s legendary coach, Fatih Terim, was sacked following a rift with the board.

A natural fan favorite due to winning a national-record six league titles with the club he represented for 13 years as a player, Terim has been greatly missed by supporters, and Mancini still has to win over the Turk Telekom Arena faithful.


/HurriyetDailynews/