What happened in Turkish football today? 24/04/2024

Trabzonspor has got slight advantage against Fatih Karagumruk after semi-final 1st leg

Trabzonspor manages to beat 1st leg game at home ground against Fatih Karagumruk with 3:2 scoreline which could be seen as good scoreline as team has played with 10 men for whole of the 2nd half and to some extend did look better side.

With looking into form of both sides and also Trabzonspor taking this tournament as main priority for rest of the season, Trabzon side has been seen as favourite and it had provided in similar performance as it provided high tempo performance and did find an early goal with Edin Visca and after conceding goal from Fatih Karagumruk did get once again ahead with keeping its motivaiton. It needs to be stated that one of negative aspects of Trabzonspor without doubt has been pretty needless red card from Enis Destan as he didnt keep his nerve. However, its been pretty interesting to see that Trabzonspor in fact did raise tempo after being 10 men and did in fact find 3rd goal. Afterwards, it was quite natural for Trabzonspor to show more controllable game but did concede goal from Paoletti which still kept this tie open for both sides.

Fatih Karagumruk which are fighting to stay at the league, did provide actually full focus and did look to be pretty organised side in 1st half with finding great goal and ept showing some good game even when it did go behind. However, its been interesting and surprising to see that its performance slightly went down after red card of opponent player Enis Destan. Still, it did crucial goal with Paoletti at 80th minute and still ha chances to get to final game in Istanbul during 2nd leg.

Trabzonspor did get good win against Fatih Karagumruk with both sides showing positive kind of game with Trabzonspor using its chances more effectively but still it would not be able to relax during 2nd leg as Fatih Karagumruk will aim to use its chances.

 Besiktas did good scoreline against Ankaragucu when looking how it performed against them.

Besiktas did get an advantage scoreline during Turkish Cup semi-final 1st leg game against Ankaragucu but didnt provide good performance especially during 1st half following goalless draw game.

With Serdar Topraktepe being appointed at the team and also improvement of performance during game at the league against same opponent did provide some optimism but it needs to be stated that team did provide low tempo performance and didnt control ball during 1st half. When looking with performance of 2nd half, it did improve and balance game but still didnt an upper hand of the game. Besiktas especially did make some crucial mistakes at the defence as it allowed Ankaragucu more chances than would been expected while opponent didnt convert those chances. 

Still with 2nd leg game to be played in Istanbul and Besiktas aiming to win Turkish Cup it would be expected for them to show stronger and more attacking game during 2nd leg for sure.

Ankaragucu has only missed to find goal against Besiktas.

Ankaragucu it needs to be mentioned did come to the game with an aim to win game and get advantage in this semi-final tie but did fail to convert chances with one goal being disallowed.

Even through Ankaragucu has especially dominated 1st half with creating some very important chances and also with having which been disallowed due of offside, it would need to be stated that it still didnt let Besiktas to get full control during 2nd half. Ankaragucu did show some good organisation, concentration to the game and it is clear team did learn some mistakes which it did during league game few days ago. Only thing which it needs to be solved for 2nd leg is to able to convert changes when it gets some if it wants to play Turkish Cup final.

Ankaragucu despite of draw does have chances to get to the final but playing an away game against such opponent it would be much more difficult game for them without doubt.

Results:

Turkish Cup, semi-final, 2nd leg:

TFF has announced schedule for 1st league play-off round games, which would decided 3rd side to be promoted to #SuperLeague:

1st round: 16th May

Semi-finals,1st leg: 20th May

Semi-finals, 2nd leg: 24th May

Final:  30th May

- Besiktas player Semih Kilicsoy has attended training session after recovering from injury.

- TFF has made deal with Clubs Union to create Independent Referee Committee.

- TurkishActiveFootballandObserversUnion has announced that they are against for foreign VAR referees and observers.

- Sevilla has offered 20 million euro to Fenerbahce player Irfan Can Kahveci.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Atalanta player Brandon Soppy.

- Kayserispor player Ali Karimi did have an operation due of his injury and has completed season.

- Fiorentina are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Kaan Ayhan.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Hamburg player Laszlo Benes.

What happened in Turkish football today? 23/04/2024

Ankaragucu has been side which did lose opportunity to win against Besiktas.

1st leg Turkish Cup semi-final game between Ankaragucu and Besiktas has been ended with goalless draw with tie would be decided during 2nd half as Ankaragucu has been much more better side especially during 1st half.

With Besiktas showing some significant improvement with Serdar Topraktepe at league game against Ankaragucu, it was expected for Istanbul giant to improve even more but quite opposite has been case as Ankaragucu been much better side with creating some good chances especially during 1st half and has been unlucky to find goal. It would need to be mentioned that Besiktas did raise tempo thanks to substitutes and some tactical changes of Serdar Topraktepe but still it wasnt enough to get upper hand as 2nd half has been balanced. Still, Ankaragucu during this game has send message to viewers, supporters that it does want to play at final game but it would need to find goals during 2nd leg at away game.

Ankaragucu as been noted has been better side during 1st half as it did create lots of chances but couldnt find that crucial goal and did provide some positive view for 2nd leg but it would need to show much more higher tempo and also conversion at the goal. 

When looking that Besiktas didnt provide very good performance as it lacked tempo and also didnt much create chances, it could be stated that Besiktas did get tie to its advantage as 2nd leg will be played at home. 

Fenerbahce lost crucial 2 points with 5 games left until end  of the season.

Fenerbahce has lost crucial points during title race with Galatasaray as it has drawn against Sivasspor with 2:2 scoreline due of controversial penalty decision at the end of the game bring result to draw.

Regardless of penalty decision at the end of the game, it would need to be mentioned that Fenerbahce did look to be negatively affected from Conference League game against Olympiakos as their have shown game which they didnt control game a lot and did make some crucial passing mistakes and has shown most of the time. With taking account that Sivasspor does tend to be team which does show some strong defensive game, scoring 2 goals could be seen as positive factor but conceding 2 despite of 2nd being very controversial would not be acceptable when team is fighting for league title. With this loss of 2 points, point difference with Galatasaray has been rose to 4 points with 5 weeks to go and also winning all games until end of the season could not be enough for title.

Fenerbahce did look to be tired and not much into game and that did cost them crucial loss of 2 points but VAR decision at the end of game did have also direct impact to this draw.

Trabzonspor will be aiming to get advantage scoreline over Fatih Karagumruk

Trabzonspor as it is known does see Turkish Cup as it is main priority for rest of the season and it would be playing against Fatih Karagumruk whose main priority it needs to be mentioned will be to stay at the league in the end of the season.

Trabzonspor even through does fight for 3rd spot at the Super League, it is known that it would be taking Turkish Cup very seriously and it would be playing against Fatih Karagumruk which does have 2 different performance at league and Turkish Cup. Without doubt, Trabzonspor would be coming out in much relaxed manner as would be Fatih Karagumruk and hence would be providing much more attacking game with looking to get advantage scoreline from 1st leg and would likely look for an early goal. Fatih Karagumruk would also play for getting advantage scoreline as it is being semi-final game but there is chance it would go through small rotation.

Trabzonspor would be coming out as favourite in this semi-final tie and hence is expected to show strong confident attacking game.

Results:

Turkish Cup, semi-final, 1st leg:

Ankaragucu 0:0 Besiktas

Schedule:

Turkish Cup, semi-final, 1st leg:

20:30 Trabzonspor - Fatih Karagumruk

In other news:

- Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler has been included at the list of referees who would travel to Euro 2024. His assistants will be Mustafa Emre Eyisoy and Kerem Ersoy. Meanwhile, Alper Ulusoy has been included as VAR referee.

- - Konyaspor player Sokol Cikalleshi has been selected most gentleman player for April by TFF while Kasimpasa head coach Sami Ugurlu has been selected as most gentleman coach.

- Fenerbahce CEO candidate Sadattin Saran: I have decided to become CEO candidate as I believe this would be right time. Its important to be good CEO. We cant say we been successful at football for past 10 years as there is no title. Reason is also outside of field and club.

- FatihKaragumruk CEO Suleyman Hurma has stated that he considers not to attend Turkish Cup next season due of format change.

- ManchesterCity, West Ham United, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are interested to transfer Besiktas player Semih Kilicsoy.

- Besiktas are interested to appoint coach Julen Lopetegui as club's head coach.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Fortuna Dusseldorf player Christos Tzolis.

- Basaksehirspor are interested to sign Besiktas player Cenk Tosun.

What happened in Turkish football today? 22/04/2024

Fenerbahce lost 2 points after debatable penalty decision.

Fenerbahce has lost crucial two points at title race as it has drawn against Sivasspor with 2:2 scoreline which did come partly from visible tiredness of Fenerbahce but possibly even more due of very debatable penalty decision at the end of the game.

With Galatasaray winning Pendikspor on previous day with comfortable score, Fenerbahce did come to the game where it needed to be winning but it was expected to be tough game for them as they had been relegated from Conference League both dramatically and also effort given to the players. This has been case as game been played as Fenerbahce did fail to get full tempo and control of the game and did make some mistakes, but despite of that it managed to get ahead twice during game with 1st goal coming from Fred and hard working goal from Irfan Can Kahveci. It also needs to be mentioned that Sivasspor are being one of the strongest defending side at the league which has also affected to the performance of Fenerbahce. Stating that Fenerbahce did get very questionable penalty decision from Manaj as the ball been out when Livakovic and with him scoring this has affected directly to title race and Fenerbahce hopes.

Sivasspor as been noted has provided some good defensive game and despite of conceding 2 goals, it has managed for opponent to get control of the game. With getting such draw against Fenerbahce, Sivasspor would be focussed to upcoming 5 games as it aims for European spots.

Fenerbahce hence did lose 2 points in pretty debatable manner and are being 4 points behind league leaders Galatasaray as 5 games left until end of the season and only thing it can to is to win all 5 games including against Galatasaray and hope Galatasaray will draw somewhere. 

Galatasaray carries on winning as title is getting closer.

Galatasaray carries on its leadership at the Super League as we are entering to last 5 games of the season as it managed to get confident win against Pendikspor with 4:1 scoreline even through it did struggle during 1st 30 minutes.

It needs to be mentioned that main reason or in other words turning point of the game has been great shot of Mauro Icardi outside of penalty area as he once again did take leadership role. It would need to be mentioned that prior to conceded 2 goals back-to-back Pendikspor did provide good defensive game and even through it did get some chances at goal, it fifny look like it would be able to score despite of goal scored in the end of 1st half and quality factor between sides did play crucial role and also taking aspect that Galatasaray does provide pretty good attacking game in recent weeks.

Galatasaray hence keepts its advantage at this intense title race as it aims not to lose game until Fenerbahce game during penultimate week.

Besiktas aims to show improvement against against Ankaragucu after last league game

Besiktas is being one step closer for reaching to final of the Turkish Cup as it would be playing against Ankaragucu who it got confident at the league on 19th April with 2:0 scoreline.

Return of Serdar Topraktepe to the team has played a positive note for Besiktas against league game and has shown that mentally team is getting back into level of game which community is expecting from them. It would be expected for Besiktas to show some crucial improvement in this Turkish Cup game as there could be even be more supporters pleasant at the stadium. Since its being game which would be one step closer, Ankaragucu would be expected to provided stronger and organised game game against Besiktas which could lead them to provide more creative game at the front and be careful at defence.

Besiktas would be coming out as favourite but game could be more tougher compare to league one.

Results:

Turkish Super League, 33rd week:

Sivasspor 2:2 Fenerbahce

Schedule:

Turkish Cup, semi-final, 1st leg:

20:30 Ankaragucu - Besiktas

In other news:

- PFDK referalls:

- Besiktas, Ankaragucu, Kayserispor has been referred for behaviour of fans and events on field.

- Adana Demirspor CEO Metin Korkmaz has been referred for not following guidelines.

- Galatasaray has been referred for behaviour of fans and not following guidelines.

- Gaziantep has been referred for behaviour of fans.

- TFF has announced referees for Turkish Cup semi-final 1st leg games:

- 23/04: Ankaragucu-Besiktas: Umit Ozturk

- 24/04: Trabzonspor- Fatih Karagumruk: Ali Sansalan.

- IsmailUyanik has announced his candidacy for TFF CEO election.

- Besiktas are interested to appoint Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Maurizio Sarri

- Eyupspor are interested to transfer Besiktas player Cenk Tosun.

- AdanaDemirspor considers to terminate contract with its player Luis Nani.

- Trabzonspor has made transfer deal with Standard Liege player Denis Dragus for 1.7 million euro + bonuses. Player has went through medical checkup.

- Antalyaspor head coach Sergen Yalcin doesnt consider to stay at club for next season.

What happened in Turkish football today? 21/04/2024

Galatasaray got an important win for its aim to win title. 

Galatasaray carries on its title race with Fenerbahce in successful manner as it has managed to beat Pendikspor with 4:1 scoreline at the home and hence has kept its leadership with 5 weeks to go and showing confident game.

It needs to be mentioned that it did take some time for Galatasaray to find an openning goal as Pendikspor did provide some controllable game but it did find goal from great shot from Mauro Icardi from outside of box towards end of 1st half and with 2nd goal coming Abdulkerim Bardakci its task has become one step easier as Pendikspor didnt have much quality understanably to turn around game. Galatasaray it would need to be mentioned did look patient, controllable and with good morale during whole game which did play an important role and it does look to be side to beat as it being leaders in the table with 5 weeks to go. Hence, with some good organised game and patience which has mainly dominated game has led for them to beat this crucial game.

Despite of result, it could be mentioned that Pendikspor did provide its best performance especially until it has conceded goal on 35th minute from Mauro Icardi and has provided right track. Even through this loss didnt provide any help for its aim to stay at the league, it does provide some optimistic view for upcoming weeks.

Galatasaray hence did make an important step to get into the title with 5 weeks to go and it did looked to be focussed and motivated to achieve this aim with how side performed for 90 minutes.

Trabzonspor got confident win against Kayserispor.

Trabzonspor has got an important win against Kayserispor with 2:1 scoreline as we entering to last 5 weeks of the season with side keeping its advantage of 4 points over Besiktas.

As it is known, Trabzonspor during this season does provide unstable performance at the field with providing one game well and following one in poor manner and at the game agaisnt Kayserispor it has been at its good days as it did control game for most amount of the game and didnt let opponent to create lots of chances with only conceded goal did come from simple mistake from Ugurcan Cakir which wasnt acceptable for goalkeeper in such level.

Hence, Trabzonspor did get strong morale and confidence both for last 5 games of the season and more crucially to Turkish Cup semi-final game against Fatih Karagurmuk on 24th April.

Fenerbahce could come out tired against Sivasspor

Fenerbahce would be coming out to one of the toughest games in this part of the season as it going to meet against Sivasspor which does provide good performances against big clubs in recent seasons especially against Fenerbahce.

It needs to be mentioned that in all fairness this game could be tough both mentally and physically as it would be playing following Conference League quarter-final 2nd leg game against Olympiakos which it did provide good fast tempo game and has been relegated in pretty dramatic manner from penalty shootouts and hence from such trauma it would need to be playing at game which it cant afford as all others in the end of the season. It would be crucial as always to find an early goal to prevent possible signs of tiredness coming up as game progresses. Sivasspor might be showing aggressive game at front as it could use an opportunity from possible tired opponent.

Fenerbahce would be coming as favourite due of condition and level of both sides but Fenerbahce would need to push themselves following loss at Conference League.

Results:

Turkish Super League, 33rd week:

Basaksehirspor 2:0 Rizespor

Antalyaspor 2:1 Hatayspor

Galatasaray 4:1 Pendikspor

Gaziantep 2:0 Kasimpasa

Schedule:

Turkish Super League, 33rd week:

20:00 Sivasspor - Fenerbahce

In other news:

- Galatasaray has offered to its player Dries Mertens to be both player and assistant trainer for 1 season and after that move to technical staff.

- AstonVilla has offered 18 million euro to Galatasaray for Baris Alper Yilmaz but club requests 25 million euro.

- Besiktas are interested to appoint Alanyaspor head coach Fatih Tekke.

- Trabzonspor has made transfer deal with Standard Liege player Denis Dragus.

What happened in Turkish football today? 20/04/2024

Trabzonspor got crucial win for 3rd spot at the table.

With 5 weeks left at the season, Trabzonspor has kept its 4 point advantage over Besiktas for the fight for 3rd spot as it has managed to beat Kayserispor with 2:1 at the pretty tough game as it did play game against crucial opponent.

With Trabzonspor providing unstable performance during whole season, it has been questionable how side would be performing in this game especially taking account that Kayserispor does provide occiassinally good performance. Trabzonspor needs to be mentioned did show some good attitude as it did provide some positive performance with an attacking and has created some good chances and did find great goal from Enis Destan and Pepe. Meanwhile, it needs to be also stated that Thomas Meunier continues playing crucial performance with providing great assist to Enis Destan. Therefore, Trabzonspor has got an important win prior to Turkish Cup game against Fatih Karagumruk and has kept 4 point advantage over Besiktas with 5 weeks left until end of the season.

Kayserispor meanwhile did look pretty passive and didnt provide much pressure towards Trabzonspor but did provide some positive performance at the game towards end of the game and did show signs that it can improve as we enter to final weeks.

Trabzonspor without doubt did get an important which would both provide confidence and morale for Turkish Cup semi-finals and rest of the season. 

Besiktas has shown more possitive game with Serdar Topraktepe.

Serdar Topraktepe return to the main role of the Besiktas has been done in ideal manner as it has managed to win against Ankaragucu with much more confident scoreline of 2:0 and thats taking account that opponent did create some chances.

It was interesting to see how would Besiktas perform following sacking of Fernando Santos and also return of Serdar Topraktepe to head coach position and it has done that in pretty good and confident manner with providing strong game and has been closer to game which Besiktas supporters and whole community  has been awaiting for as it did create high number of chances and has continued to do so after finding goal with Ernesto Muci. 

Besiktas did get important win and also provided good signs for 1st leg game Turkish Cup on 23rd April against same opponent but that game would be much more tougher.

Galatasaray would play against team which would be aiming to stay at the league

Galatasaray would be resuming its intense title race against Pendikspor as we are entering to last 6 games which means that both sides cant afford to lose game but it would be expected to be tough game.

It needs to be mentioned that both teams would be coming out to game which it would both cant afford to lose and also win would provide sides into advantage, for Galatasaray to make one step closer for title while for Pendikspor it would raise chances to stay at the league. Needless to say, Galatasaray would be coming out as favourites both due motivation for title and also quality of squad but it would need to show strong attacking game as Pendikspor in understandable manner would provide defensive game as finding an early goal would make task for game easier. Pendikspor would be expected to focus into defensive game with creating some counter-attacks during game.

Galatasaray are being favourites but game could be tougher than expected as it would crucial one for Pendikspor.

Results:

Turkish Super League, 33rd week:

Istanbulspor 1:2 Fatih Karagumruk

Konyaspor 0:2 Alanyaspor

Kayserispor 1:2 Trabzonspor

Samsunspor 1:1 Adana Demirspor

Schedule:

Turkish Super League, 33rd week:

13:30 Basaksehirspor-Rizespor

19:00 Antalyaspor-Hatayspor

19:00 Galatasaray- Pendikspor

19:00 Gaziantep-Kasimpasa

In other news:

- Istanbulspor has been relegated from Super League with 5 weeks to go following loss to Fatih Karagumruk with 2:1 scoreline.

- Galatasaray has announced date of CEO election as 18th May, if majority is not gathered it would move to 25th May.

- AdanaDemirspor player Luis Nani has been left out of squad.

- Besiktas has terminated contract with its player Berkay Vardar.

- Fenerbahce player Rodrigo Becao has become injured.

- Sevilla, Newcastle United, Lazio and Rennes are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Irfan Can Kahveci.

- Juventus are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Nicolas Pepe.

- Galatasaray has offered 50 million TL salary for extension to head coach Okan Buruk.

- AstonVilla are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Baris Alper Yilmaz.

What happened in Turkish football today? 19/04/2024

Besiktas has shown crucial importance at willingness at first game with Serdar Topraktepe

Besiktas has managed to get its first game after 5 games winless period during its first game when Serdar Topraktepe has took place following sacking of Fernando Santos, as Besiktas has shown much more improvement and willingness.

It needs to be mentioned that it was expected for Besiktas to show significant improvement with its performance as Serdar Topraktepe mentality is being much closer to Besiktas expectations as team did show much more stronger attacking game which could be most seen as it continued to show attacking game after going ahead following goal following earlyh goal from Ernest Muci. It could be argued that Besiktas still didnt provide strong perforance which would been expected from them but at least there was strong willingness. Also Besiktas has got an important confidence and belief prior to Turkish Cup semi-final 1st leg game against same opponent. 

Ankaragucu on their part has been expected to show some resistance but it didnt manage to do so much as it did had lack to prevent Besiktas to get control of game and side needs to do lots of analysis as it would meet with same opponent on 23rd April.

Besiktas hence did get an important win against Ankaragucu as players did look much willing at attack and now it would need to focus into showing much more strong performance as we enter to last 5 games of the season.

Fenerbahce couldnt find its winning goal against Olympiakos.

Fenerbahce has been relegated from Conference League after losing to Olympiakos during penalty-kick out which been dominated from good performance of both goalkeepers but Fenerbahce players had an issue with converting chances.

It needs to be mentioned that when looking into field Fenerbahce did look to be better side as it did found an early goal as early as on 11th minute from great short from Irfan Can Kahveci and did control of game. However, it needs to be mentioned that after 60th minute, Fenerbahce did show some signs of tiredness and also Olympiakos quite naturally adding on their defensive performance which has led for game to get into penalty kickouts. It also needs to be mentioned that Ismail Kartal substituting in that period of time players like Fred, Edin Dzeko had also direct impact to result with Kartal possibly thinking about extra time. Olympiakos in their part did provide organised game and managed to bring game into penalties where it has converted chances.

Fenerbahce did provide better performance in overall but it didnt provide in last minutes of the game too much chances to find that crucial winning goal.

Trabzonspor needs to raise level of performance if it wants to end at 3rd spot.

Trabzonspor would be resuming its race for 3rd spot with crucial and tough game against Kayserispor as it would be looking for winning ways.

We are having such unusual season when looking at teams below top 2 where both Trabzonspor and Besiktas are losing points and still managing to fight for 3rd spot but it needs to be stated that as we enter to last 6 weeks, both teams cant afford to lose points even through Trabzonspor does have 4 point advantage. They would need to still get strong dominant game if it wants to keep its advantage for top spot.

Trabzonspor are having unstable season but they do need to raise they level of performance for 3rd spot as only 6 games left in the season.

Results:

Turkish Super League, 33rd week:

Besiktas 2:0 Ankaragucu

Schedule:

Turkish Super League, 33rd week:

13:30 Istanbulspor-Fatih Karagumruk

16:00 Konyaspor - Alanyaspor

19:00 Kayserispor-Trabzonspor

19:00 Samsunspor - Adana Demirspor

In other news:

- PFDK decisions:

- Adana Demirspor CEO Metin Korkmaz has recieved 78,000 TL fine for being at unaccredited area.

- Kayserispor, Fatih Karagumruk, Alanyaspor has recieved 112,000 TL fine for events on field.

- Besiktas has recieved blockage of stands for behaviour of fans.

- Samsunspor has recieved 260,000 TL fine for behaviour of fans.

- FatihKaragumruk has recieved 500,000 TL fine for behaviour of fans

- Fatih Karagumruk player Ryan Mendes has recieved 2-game ban for serious foul.

- Alanyaspor head coach Fatih Tekke has recieved 1-game ban and 39,000 TL fine for anti-sportmanship behaviour.

- Galatasaray has recieved 440,000 TL fine for anti-sportmanship behaviour.

- TFF has announced schedule for Turkish Cup semi-final 2nd leg games:

07/05: Besiktas-Ankaragucu

08/05: Fatih Karagumruk-Trabzonspor.

- ClubsUnion has provided 6 points to TFF:

1. There must be right action for upcoming administration will be able to work financially.

2. Its impossible for new administration to make its own type of administring prior to start of new season if election will take place on 18th

July.

3. New administration will not be able to provide its own guidelines for summer transfer window.

4. New administration will not have time to classify referees for new season.

5. New administration will not be able to bring new guidelines.

- Besiktas administration Feyyaz Ucar has stated that Serdar Topraktepe will be head coach until end of the season, and would be included at technical staff for next season.

- Besiktas are interested to appoint Hans Flick as club's head coach.

- Fenerbahce player Irfan Can Kahveci and Lille player Yusuf Yazici goals has been nominated as Conference League goal of the quarter-final 2nd leg games.

- Napoli are interested to appoint Turkish National Team head coach Vincenzo Montella.

- WBA player Okay Yokuslu goal against Huddersfield Town has been nominated as goal of the month at Championship for March.

- Lille player Yusuf Yazici goal against Aston Villa has been selected as goal of the Conference League quarter-final 2nd leg games.

- Galatasaray has extended contract with Fernando Muslera, Lucas Torreira, Baris Alper Yilmaz, Abdukerim Bardakci and Kaan Ayhan

What happened in Turkish football today? 18/04/2024

Fenerbahce has been relegated from penalty kicks despite of Livakovic saving 2.

Fenerbahce didnt manage to overpass Olympiakos after penalty shootouts, despite of strong and dominant performance for 120 minutes and also Livakovic saving 2 shots during penalty kicks.

As some might be remembered, our blog prior to game has stated that if Fenerbahce wants to get to the next stage it would be important for them to find an early goal and it would be needed to say that it just did that as it provided strong and attacking game from first whistle and did create some good opportunities with finding goal with Irfan Can Kahveci following great shot into goal. It needs to be mentioned that Fenerbahce did provide an attacking in similar manner but quite naturally as minutes continued Olympiakos has shown much more controllable game with providing stronger defensive game and to some extend has prevented them to create much more chances especially from 2nd half. It does need to be mentioned that one of the best players during this game has been Dominik Livakovic as he did provide some crucial saves during game and also did save 2 balls during penalty kicks and been close to save other so he did everything what has been asked from him however his teammates, apart of Michy Batshuayi didnt convert penalties, which could been also from tiredness during game. Fenerbahce when coming to 120 minutes did deserve more to be semi-final but apart from Livakovic perspective, it didnt deserve to be following penalties.

Olympiakos as would been expected did mainly focus into defensive game during 120 minutes with finding some chances and this to some extend did work as it did bring game into penalties which led for them to provide better performance but more important important saves 20-year old Konstantinos Tzolakis.

It needs to be mentioned as been stated above Fenerbahce did provide right attitude from game but either due of tiredness or incredible performance of Tzolakis at penalty kickout sadly its been relegated from Conference League where there were high hopes.

Besiktas will come to first game with Serdar Topraktepe.

Besiktas would be playing against Ankaragucu at the Super League as this would be first game following sacking of Fernando Santos and return of Serdar Topraktepe as it would be interesting to see how side would be performing.

With expected termination of contract with Fernando Santos, Besiktas would be playing its first game against Ankaragucu and taking account that its being opponent which tend to show good performance against big teams, it would be interesting to see how side would be responding. As it is remembered, Topraktepe did take caretaker role for few weeks around New Year period during which period team did get good confident results with positive game and it would be interesting to see how it would respond. Ankaragucu are aware that opponet are being at crises situation and might lose this game as own advantage.

Besiktas still has chances for 3rd spot as Trabzonspor also losing points despite of being 4 points ahead but as team it would need to raise performance level for last 6 games.

Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu will run as TFF CEO candidate

Trabzonspor ex-CEO Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu has announced that he would be running as TFF CEO candidate for the election which would be taken place on 18th July but his previous aggressive actions at Trabzonspor reign would raise some questions.

Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu reign at Trabzonspor has been remembered with some crises and interesting and aggressive statements which he did provide for number of people especially towards Fenerbahce due of heat which been present in that period following match-fixing scandal in country. With Turkish football being arleady at high tension right now him being as CEO in this position, he would need to prove himself to be CEO who would be able to stay calm and show togetherness as his characteristic actions during Trabzonspor would not seen in good manner.

Therefore, Haciosmanoglu would need to prove himself to be strong candidate for TFF position and convince everyone that he would be able to bring togetherness to the team.

Results:

UEFA Conference League, quarter-final, 2nd leg:

Fenerbahce 1:0 Olympiakos(agg: 3:3, pen: 2:3)

Schedule:

Turkish Super League, 33rd week:

20:00 Besiktas - Ankaragucu

In other news:

- Besiktas player Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov has become injured during training session.

- Besiktas are interested to appoint Liverpool assistant coach Pepijn Lijnders as club's head coach.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Antalyaspor player Bunyamin Balci.

- Besiktas player Ante Rebic doesnt consider to leave club in summer transfer window as he is failing to find club which would provide as much as salary

- Fenerbahce men's volleyball team doctor Baris Cakir would also take same role at football team.

- Galatasaray are interested to sign Bordeaux player Zan Vipotnik