Bursa out on race but still hopeful of Europe berth |
 The Green Crocs, as defending champion Bursaspor is popularly known, again lived up to their title as the new draw specialists in the Spor Toto Super League when they again shared the spoils after a 0-0 tie with inconsistent Ankaragücü in week 26 at the Bursa Atatürk Stadium on Monday night.
In a surprising turn of events, the Crocs, who were unstoppable on their way to winning their maiden title last season, appear to be stuck in a mysterious slump this season -- especially in the second half.
Bursaspor last went home with maximum points in week 23, when it beat Aegean newcomer Bucaspor 2-0 away on Jan. 25. Since then the Crocs have drawn three in a row, including Monday’s match.
Ertuğrul Sağlam’s men drew 1-1 at home with İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor in week 24 on March 6. The following week the Crocs also shared the booty with Black Sea newcomer Kardemir Karabükspor after a 1-1 away draw on March 12 and on Monday it was one point again.
That result means the Crocs, who were second and trailed then-leader Trabzonspor by five points at the winter break, are currently nine points behind co-leaders Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor with only eight games to go.
Young coach Sağlam was sincere in admitting that their championship chances are very slim.
“It is true that our title hopes are badly dented,” the soft-spoken Sağlam said at his post-match news conference. “So in the worst case scenario, we have to maintain our [third] position. We have performed far below the expectations of a champion [this season] and have seen a couple of bad days,” he added.
The Crocs, from the look of things, will surrender their crown to the new champion at the end of the season. However, it is almost certain that they will finish in the top three and therefore qualify for Europe next season.
Looking at the plight of big-spending Galatasaray and Beşiktaş, what Bursaspor sees down the league table, shows that what the Crocs have achieved so far this season can be considered a success.
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