Can Arat apologizes for the 'watery derby'

Before the tough match where Fenerbahçe will host Galatasaray in the 18th week of the Süper Lig, former footballer Can Arat made striking statements regarding the derby.

In an interview with Fanatik Newspaper, Arat made confessions years later about the eventful 2007 match at Ali Sami Yen Stadium, which is remembered as the "watery derby".

"IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PREDICT A SCORE"

Arat said, "When you look at Galatasaray, if you compare them to the football they play against European giants, you could say they play better than Fenerbahçe, but the fates of derbies are different. The chance of predicting a score for a derby is very low. Life will stop in Turkey. What will determine the score will be the tactical battle between İsmail Kartal and Okan Buruk. In recent years, Galatasaray has started winning a lot in Kadıköy. I think Fenerbahçe will seriously put an end to this, but as I said, it is very difficult to predict a score," he said.

HE APOLOGIZED

Touching upon the eventful derby in 2007 when Fenerbahçe went to Ali Sami Yen Stadium as champions, Can Arat made a confession years later. Arat noted, "We had gone to Ali Sami Yen as champions, I think I remember we won 2-1. Before the match, we provoked them—I apologize to all Galatasaray fans—but there was an unconsciousness that comes with youth in those days. We went out on the pitch there, took pictures and so on. It was like we ignited them a bit, but we did it under the influence of being champions at that time. Maybe it came years later, but I apologize. As I said, I cannot forget that match; the end of the match was also very good, our embracing with our fans, and going back out on the pitch to chant for Fenerbahçe when the whole stadium had emptied was very valuable to me," he stated.

News Source: 12punto