What happened in Turkish football today? 20/01/2023

Fenerbahce gets to next stage thanks to Valencia goal.

Fenerbahce has reached to quarter-final of the Turkish Cup as it has managed to beat Rizespor thanks to the last minute goal of the Enner Valencia as side did show pretty patient and controllable game.

It needs to be mentioned that Fenerbahce did start game in high tempo thanks to the Rizespor not showing an organised defensive game during 1st minutes games which also led for an early goal from Miha Zajc with great assist from Arda Guler. Things in fact did go pretty good for team, but Rizespor has managed to get into more controllable defensive game and did find also an equaliser. It needs to be mentioned that Fenerbahce after that did continued to control ball but couldnt pass the defence. Even through it did lose that tempo, it still provided patient game against strong defensive game and did raise tempo towards end of the game as it quite naturally didnt want for game to go to extra-time and did find goal with great attacking game which has ended with header from Enner Valencia who continues to be key goal-scorer. 

Therefore, Fenerbahce did manage to get to the next stage of the tournament even through it turned out to be much more tougher game as expected from lower league side.

Galatasaray aims to continue its winning streak against Antalyaspor.

Galatasaray are going to resume its league journey as it would be meeting with struggling Antalyaspor side as Istanbul giant has won 11 games in row in all competitions and are showing good performance in recent games.

Among getting wins, Galatasaray are showing dominance in all of its games and doesnt seem to give any signs of having pressure for being leaders especially with great performance of Mauro Icardi in recent games especially. With Antalyaspor showing performance below they level in recent games, it could be expected for Galatasaray once again to show strong and confident performance at the 1st game of the 2nd half of this season. Antalyaspor in they part are aware that they performances is being level which would been expected and could be extra motivated for this game as good performance and win or at least draw could be turning point for them so it would be expected for side to provide some strong performance and resistance. 

Galatasaray will be coming as strong favourites due of great performance of side in recent games and quite opposite for Antalyaspor but it would be tough game without doubt.

Fenerbahce has used transfer option with Bruma for 2.5+1 years.

Fenerbahce has used transfer option with PSV Eindhoven player Bruma for 2.5+1 years with 4,250,000 euro fee, as this could be seen as surprising development as it wasnt included at squad due of foreign player limit,

Even through Bruma didnt play at the Super League due of foreign player limit it needs to be mentioned that he did show some good performance at Europa League and also at the Turkish Cup and likely has led head coach Jorge Jesus to be happy with how he has performed. Hence, this usage of option does show that team has lots of expectation and sees potential of him involvement in the team as it is being also long contract which could go up to 4 seasons including this one. Right now, he would need to carry on working hard on training sessions and prove his worth even more to Jorge Jesus to start getting some playing time.

This been unexpected news due of there being rumours that Fenerbahce considers to end contract with him but quite oppositie happened and player would now focus with improvement at the club.

Results:

Turkish Super League, 20th week:

Adana Demirspor 1:1 Giresunspor

Schedule:

Turkish Super League, 20th week:

16:00 Kasimpasa - Basaksehirspor

19:00 Galatasaray - Antalyaspor

In other news:

- TurkishCup draw for quarter-final and semi-final will take place on 24th January.

-- Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk and football director assistant Ayhan Akman has recieved club's membership.

- Antalyaspor has transferred Erdal Rakip for 2.5 years.

- Fenerbahce has extended contract with its player Ismail Yuksek until 2027.

- Istanbulspor has signed Jason Lokilo

- Antalyaspor has signed Helton Leite for 1.5 years.

- Ankaragucu has terminated contract with its player Pepe.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Ashdod player Maor Yashiilirmak.

- Fenerbahce has offered 18 million euro for Altay Bayindir extension contract but player requests 30 million euro.

- Granada are interested to transfer Alanyaspor player Famara Diedhiou

- Konyaspor are interested to transfer Hajduk Split player Marko Livaja.

- Parma has declined 5.5 million euro offer from Fenerbahce for Oosterwolde.

- LokomotivMoscow player Dmitri Barinov agent Pavel Banatin has stated that players club has declined transfer offer from Besiktas.

- Antalyaspor are interested to transfer Diambars player Maleye Diagne.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Barcelona player Inaki Pena

- Konyaspor has requested 3 million euro+1 player to loan from Besiktas for Amir Hadziahmetovic.