One-sided European matches and one-sided training ground scraps

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"So how is it that this team managed to win the league last year?" The million dollar question I was asked by a fellow journalist during the Valencia â Bursaspor match on Wednesday evening.

By this point, Bursa were 5-0 down and on their way to a 6-1 drubbing at the Mestalla. The sarcastic nature of the question was well and truly deserved.

Surprisingly, the Turkish side did start well and could have gone ahead if Sercan Yildirim had not choked when through one on one with Moya. I guess this was even more evidence that one of last seasonâÂÂs top strikers is seriously suffering from a lack of form.

From there on in it was all downhill. Juan Mata got the ball rolling from the spot after Omer Erdogan upended Aduriz. Goals from Soldado and Aduriz made it three before JoaquinâÂÂs sublime curling effort â all before half time.

The travelling faithful, who had by this time become very quiet, were provided with a piece of history to go home with, as Pablo Batalla marked his introduction with BursaâÂÂs first ever European goal.

Dominguez completed the rout and Ertugrul SaglamâÂÂs three minute press conference summed up the mood.

The manager was clear with his words and did not hesitate to hold his hands up. âÂÂNobody should feel responsible for this result other than me. We have two games against Kayseri and Besiktas and itâÂÂs up to me to prepare my team so we stay in touch with the leaders.âÂÂ

Before Bursa â Kayseri on Monday evening, Galatasaray and Besiktas will lock horns in the âÂÂbattle of the struggling giantsâ with both sides considerably in need of three points.

Istanbul B.B (5th) and Fenerbahce (4th) meet on Saturday with the victors set take a step closer to the top. Yet things havenâÂÂt been entirely smooth in the Fener camp this week.

However, a bit like Bursa on Wednesday, Caner didnâÂÂt seem to put up much of a fight. Perhaps in this instance that was a good thingâ¦