Troubled Galatasaray in tough Atletico test

Galatasaray is going through turbulent times and now must play a win-or-die game on Nov. 24 when it travels to Spain for a Champions League Group C match against Atletico Madrid.

The Turkish champion sacked coach Hamza Hamzao?lu last week and drew 3-3 at home to Antalyaspor on the weekend despite leading three times. Assistant coach Claduio Taffarel will again be in charge of the team against Atletico while Mustafa Denizli, who was named the new coach on Nov. 23 as he returns for a third spell - 23 years after his last stint in charge - is expected to take the helm before the weekend's league game.

A loss against Atletico will end the Turkish club's dreams of advancing to the last 16 stage.

Denizli is an experienced name who has coached Galatasaray, Be?ikta?, Fenerbahçe and the Turkish international team, as well as other top-flight clubs and Persepolis of Iran. He is the only coach to have won Turkish league titles with the "Three Big" Istanbul clubs.

"Galatasaray is the only club for which I will risk everything," an emotional Denizli said on Nov. 23, speaking about the club he began his coaching career with.  

Denizli took over as Galatasaray coach from Germany's Jupp Derwall in the 1987-1988 season after working as his assistant for three years and led the club to the semifinals in the European Champions' Cup.  

"I'm excited," said Denizli. "I started a different career here, and hopefully I will end it successfully here."

Atletico needs only a draw against Galatasaray at the Vicente Calderon to secure their place in the last 16, although they may have to win to retain a chance of finishing on top of the section. Diego Simeone's side, which will welcome back Juanfran for this match, are eight games...