Galatasaray vs Rennes: The Truth About Pre-Season
The positives, the defensive problems and the question marks hanging over the new season after Galatasaray's 3-3 pre-season draw with Rennes.
This is an opinion column. It reflects the writer's personal view and should not be confused with FutbolRadar's verified match data.
The 3-3 draw between Galatasaray and Rennes at RAMS Park left behind far more questions about the work still to be done than clues about the state of a side preparing for a new season.
Six goals, a pile of missed chances and inconsistency in several areas, the defence above all... If this had been anything other than a friendly, it would read as a worrying list of findings. But this is what pre-season is for: exposing every weakness, staying open to criticism and readying a team for what the new campaign will throw at it.
The positives
On the positive side, Victor Osimhen's presence was felt. The Nigerian's aggressive approach and appetite for goals lit up the areas where Galatasaray occasionally got stuck. Consistent performances from Leroy Sané, Lesley Ugochukwu and Lucas Torreira were encouraging too. The renewal in midfield in particular points to the potential to raise the team's tempo quickly.
Gabriel Sara chasing everything, Barış Alper Yılmaz's composure from the penalty spot... These look like small details, but the points gap built up over a long season is precisely the sum of details like these.
The worrying parts
It is worth remembering that this is not only about the Rennes match. A pre-season shaken by a 2-0 defeat to Monza has produced a troubling defensive graph. The problems at the back are matters that need serious review, especially before European competition.
Esteban Lepaul's hat-trick for Rennes shows that Galatasaray have struggled defensively across two separate friendlies. Kaan Ayhan, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Eren Elmalı... All quality players; but there is still plenty of work to do on how the line is organised, on positional discipline, on second balls and on winning the ball in the air.
Last word: between hope and doubt
The new season is at the door. European competition, the Süper Lig, the Turkish Cup... The question marks over the route Galatasaray have chosen, the sides they are modelling themselves on, their transfer strategy and even the head coach's tactical preferences all remain. The Rennes match did not answer them.
But it is worth remembering that pre-season is the preparation for success, not success itself. If Okan Buruk and his staff can build a solid structure on these foundations, there is still every chance that next season joins the pages written in gold for the yellow and red.
Let us wait and see... In football, surprises are always possible.