The 2009-10 campaign was a season of high ambition for Galatasaray as Cimbom finished a competitive 3rd in the Süper Lig, securing a spot in the Europa League qualifying rounds under new manager Frank Rijkaard. Leading the attack was the talismanic Czech forward Milan Baroš, whose 11 crucial league goals proved decisive in a year marked by a dramatic mid-season broken foot injury. The season, which also featured star contributions from Arda Turan, Elano, and Harry Kewell, was ultimately defined by a successful European run where Cimbom topped their group before being narrowly eliminated in the Round of 32 by eventual champions Atlético Madrid.