This past weekend marked a decisive moment in the Super Lig title race. A remarkable defensive performance from Besiktas secured a vital win against Fenerbahce, while a stellar display from Galatasaray once again highlighted their championship credentials as they edge closer to a third consecutive title.
As the match approached, Fenerbahce found themselves in a position where dropping any points was simply not an option. The Istanbul derby against Besiktas was a prime opportunity for them to show that they could keep the title chase alive with a victory.
Although Besiktas has had a challenging season, the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has seen a notable improvement in their performances during critical matches, particularly against stronger opponents. Recent victories against Trabzonspor and Galatasaray (the latter being the only team to have lost to Besiktas this season) suggest they thrive when given more room to operate.
Solskjaer made a tactical shift for this match, opting to reinforce the midfield by pairing Amir Hadziahmetovic with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain just in front of the defence, while positioning Gedson Fernandes in a more advanced role behind striker Rafa Silva.
The tactical alteration proved beneficial for Besiktas. In the first half, even with less possession, they posed a significant threat on the counter and restricted Fenerbahce’s chances significantly.
Despite a missed penalty by Gedson early on—amid distractions from lasers aimed at him—he quickly redeemed himself by capitalising on a defensive error from Mert Muldur to score the opening goal for Besiktas.
The second half saw Besiktas defending resolutely as Fenerbahce made attacking substitutions in an effort to equalise. Centre-back Gabriel Paulista was a towering presence in defence, complemented by Arthur Masuaku, who shifted to his preferred left-back position later in the match.
The standout player of the match was undoubtedly goalkeeper Mert Gunok, whose exceptional saves throughout the game kept Besiktas ahead. The 36-year-old proved to be an impenetrable force.
Despite concerted efforts from Anderson Talisca, Edin Dzeko, and Dusan Tadic, Gunok stood firm, thwarting every attempt.
When the final whistle blew, Besiktas celebrated a narrow 1-0 victory. For Fenerbahce, the title ambitions were fading rapidly, as the players and fans were visibly distraught.
With eight points adrift and only four matches remaining, the challenge now appears insurmountable, especially with Galatasaray in such formidable form.
It has been 11 years since Fenerbahce last lifted the Super Lig trophy, and the frustration among fans is palpable. Throughout the match, supporters voiced their displeasure, calling for the resignation of Club President Ali Koc and Vice-President Acun Ilicali, while manager Jose Mourinho’s future hangs in the balance.
Fenerbahce invested heavily to bring Mourinho on board, making him one of the highest-paid managers globally. His main objective was to triumph in the Super Lig.
Sadly, his results have been disappointing. In matches against Galatasaray and Besiktas this season, he has recorded no wins, a single draw, and four losses. Moreover, he has yet to secure a victory against any team in the league’s top six.
He has also become the first Fenerbahce manager since Joachim Low in the 1998/99 season to lose his opening two matches against Besiktas.
His tactics have drawn criticism for being overly simplistic, often relying on lumping the ball into the box, hoping for Dzeko or Youssef En-Nesyri to convert chances or earn penalties.
Mourinho regularly expresses grievances about the league, attributing failures to an ‘unfair system’ and alleged corruption rather than reflecting on his own shortcomings, which are all too apparent now.
Following the match, he remarked: “The outcome of the league was already decided before it started. The recent home losses were crucial, but the conclusion of this league was evident from the beginning.
“I won’t discuss Galatasaray any longer. It is exceptionally challenging to navigate this structure.”
It is a disappointing situation. Jose Mourinho appears to be at the end of his tenure at the highest level, unable to come to terms with it. He consistently deflects blame onto others rather than accepting personal responsibility, showing a lack of dignity and grace in the process.
One of football’s most successful figures has turned into one of its sorest losers.
Meanwhile, Besiktas and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrated a monumental victory in front of Fenerbahce’s home fans.
Their performance was impressive, further solidifying their propensity to excel against stronger opponents.
Ole has made history by becoming the first manager of Besiktas to win his opening Super Lig matches against Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, and Trabzonspor. He is also the first foreign coach since Mircea Lucescu in 2003 to secure an away win at Fenerbahce.
Interestingly, he had a similar approach at Manchester United, where his team performed better when sitting back and striking on the counter. They often secured commendable results against big clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool, but faltered against lesser sides in the Premier League.
In the last month and a half, Besiktas stumbled against Goztepe, Istanbul Basaksehir, Kasimpasa, Konyaspor, and Gaziantep, with precious victories over Fenerbahce and Galatasaray sandwiched in between.
In this instance, Solskjaer outsmarted Mourinho, executing his tactics effectively, with the Gedson-Rafa partnership proving exceptionally fruitful. The decision to move Masuaku to left-back and introduce Felix Uduokhai late in the match to counter Fenerbahce’s aerial threats was a masterstroke.
This victory is monumental for Besiktas, placing them firmly in contention for a top-three finish—a commendable achievement considering their position prior to Solskjaer’s appointment.
However, the squad requires further reinforcements and remains far from championship-calibre. Nonetheless, results against their fiercest rivals will undoubtedly earn him some much-needed support from fans.
Galatasaray: Champions in Waiting
Meanwhile, Galatasaray had their own job to fulfil a day earlier. Aware of the potential for Fenerbahce to falter against Besiktas, they needed to secure three points at home against Sivasspor.
They accomplished this with ease, triumphing 4-1. The victory was one of their most comfortable this season, with all goals coming within the first 30 minutes.
Victor Osimhen continued his exceptional form, netting twice to bring his total to 24 Super Lig goals this season. With 33 goals in all competitions, he has reached a career-high.
Lucas Torreira also added another to his tally, scoring for the fourth consecutive game, while Baris Alper Yilmaz rounded off the scoring with a stunning effort from outside the box.
Their last three matches have produced scorelines of 5-1, 5-1, and 4-1, making it the perfect time for Galatasaray to hit peak form as they close in on a record-extending 25th league title and third in succession.
The mood is exceptionally positive, with both players and fans reveling in the moment. They face a challenging trip to Trabzonspor next weekend, but with an eight-point cushion at the top, there will be significantly less pressure in that encounter.
A few days later, they’ll meet the same opponents again in the Turkish Cup final, presenting an excellent opportunity for Galatasaray to secure the domestic double—a tremendous achievement for Okan Buruk and his players.
Highlight of the Week
Rizespor secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Gaziantep on Saturday, alleviating their relegation concerns. Ali Sowe was the standout performer for his team, having two goals ruled out for offside in the first half before finally finding the net with a spectacular flicked finish into the back of the goal with just 15 minutes remaining.
Team of the Week
Galatasaray’s Osimhen and Baris are included in the starting eleven, along with Besiktas’ Paulista, while Landry Dimata earns his place after netting a brace in Samsunspor’s 3-0 win over Eyupspor.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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