What happened in Turkish football today? 04/01/2023

Galatasaray keeps its leadership prior to derby game

Galatasaray has won its 6th game back-to-back and hence continued its leadership in the league and regained motivation boost prior to derby game against Fenerbahce which would decide leaders of the league.

Even through Galatasaray has carried on winning games back-to-back, it needs to be mentioned that it did pretty difficult game in last 3 games especially during 2nd half and this has been case against Ankaragucu as opponent did create lots of chances to end game at the 2:2 draw. Therefore, this would provide some worries to Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk, but in other hand side has shown strong reaction after conceding goal at beginning from Taylan Antalyali as it did show strong attacking game and found goal from Baris Alper Yilmaz and Bafetembi Gomis which are raising with its performance in recent weeks in the attacking game. Still, it needs to be mentioned that absence of players like Mauro Icardi especially, did have negative impact to the team performance and without doubt there would be expectation for him to be ready for derby game as his absence could be felt.

Ankaragucu it needs to be mentioned when looking into its capacity of quality with its how it performed did show strong attacking game in 2nd half and has been very close to find equaliser. Hence, it could be mentioned that this performance could provide some hope for upcoming games as it urgently needs points.

Galatasaray hence did get an important win and carried on its leadership but it would need to improve its performance at defence and stamina if it wants to keep leadership after Fenerbahce game. 

Fenerbahce got tough win against Antalyaspor.

Fenerbahce has managed to get a win against Antalyaspor despite of poor field condition in Antalya and also an effective performance of opponent as it has found 2 goals thanks to the Michy Batshuayi.

With derby game coming up which would also decide leaders of the league in the upcoming weekend, Fenerbahce without doubt didnt want to lose points in this crucial game. Fenerbahce it needs to be mentioned didnt have great start of the game as even through it did possess ball, Antalyaspor has provided some strong and effective counterattacks with one of them being ended with goal from Haji Wright. However, as game has progressed Fenerbahce did get adapted both to game and also the field with finding 2 goals from Michy Batshuayi which were pretty easy games. Meanwhile, on the days where there is lots of criticism towards referee, there were 2 highly contested positions both from Antalyaspor and Fenerbahce goal which had led for high criticism.

Fenerbahce still in either way did get win which it did seek for and would now come out to derby game against Galatasaray at high confidence.

Giresunspor will come out to Trabzonspor with high motivation for win

Without doubt, Trabzonspor would be seeking to have a start of 2023 not in the manner which it has ended 2022 after Fatih Karagumruk as it would be meeting with Giresunspor.

It needs to be mentioned that Giresunspor is being in similar position as Karagumruk and it needs to be mentioned that Giresunspor has shown some strong confidence and motivation rise when it playing against big club, and certainly this would be case against current title holders Trabzonspor. Hence, Giresunspor would be expected to provide strong organised game and also provide an effective attacking game with counter-attacks. Hence, it would be important here for Trabzonspor to learn lessons from previous game and dont repeat them against Giresunspor.

Hence, even through Trabzonspor are favourites it would be very tough game as Giresunspor will show strong game.

Results:

Turkish Super League, 17th week:

Kasimpasa 4:1 Alanyaspor

Kayserispor 2:4 Fatih Karagumruk

Galatasaray 2:1 Ankaragucu 

Konyaspor 2:2 Sivasspor

Schedule:

Turkish Super League, 17th week:

17:00 Gaziantep - Basaksehirspor

20:00 Adana Demirspor - Istanbulspor

20:00 Trabzonspor - Giresunspor

In other news:

- PFDK referalls:

- Umraniyespor player Allyson dos Santos has been referred for breaking rules.

- Antalyaspor has been referred for behaviour of fans.

- Antalyaspor assistant coach Alfons Groenendijk and worker Emrah Celik has been referred for anti-sportmanship behaviour.

- Fenerbahce has been referred for behaviour of fans and events on field

- Kayserispor has appointed Ali Duman for 3-years as club's sports director

- Kayserispor spokesman Samet Koc has stated that club would go to arbitration committee for decision to take away 3 points for them for not following club's licence guidelines.

- Trabzonspor player Huseyin Turkmen will not be able to play for 10 days due of injury.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Schalke 04 player Mehmet Aydin

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Hacken player Kristoffer Lund.

- Besiktas head coach Senol Gunes: I am happy with Masuaku performance right now. Club and players will decide who to sell during mid-season transfer window.I am expecting for referees to provide good performance.

- Fenerbahce has started transfer negotiations with Wolfsburg player John Anthony Brooks.

- Besiktas has started transfer negotiations with Hull City player Ozan Tufan.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer WH Three Towns player Davidson.