What happened in Turkish football today/ 01/05/2023

Galatasaray are in decline as we enter to final stages of the season.

Galatasaray continues losing points in the last 2 weeks as we are entering to final stages of the season as this time it has lost to Besiktas with 3:1 scoreline and does show some worrying performance on the field.

Even more worrying is that Galatasaray defence doesnt provide similar performance as it did for most part of the season as it conceded 6 goals and has reduced point difference with Fenerbahce to 3 points and Besiktas to 5 points with extra game of latter side. It needs to be mentioned that Galatasaray did provide a view of confidence that they would win title in the end of the season both within side and media started referring to them as Champ... With Fenerbahce even through also losing points being in good form in recent weeks this relaxation could provide some issues to Galatasaray as it still has some difficult games including against Basaksehirspor next week. 

Galatasaray are still favourites for title despite of loss to Besiktas but they form does provide some worries with recent team performance for sure.

Besiktas did send message that they would fight for title until end.

Few weeks ago our blog did state that Besiktas are still at the title race mathematically but when looking realistically chances are very low as even on scenario winning all games left in the season could not be enough for 2nd spot.

Besiktas did want to win game more than Galatasaray and when looking at comments after game, players and Senol Gunes are also aware of difficulty at the situation so therefore it could be noted that among keeping their chances alive, it has been even more important to send strong message to its own supporters, opponents and media that they would not give up for they fight for title. It needs to be mentioned that it did achieve that as after conceding goal it has been side which dominated game and has provided strong and effective organising game with focus to find goals. Thereofre, it could be confidently stated that Besiktas got well-deserved 3-points with strong performance.

Besiktas did provide hence hope for its supporters for title but its needs to be incredible lucky to end season with title for sure.

Fenerbahce chances for title are not as low as it looks on first glance.

As been noted above Besiktas did get an important win for its title race, but when looking at standings and other results it could be noted quite confidently that main winner of this week has been Fenerbahce.

Fenerbahce has two tasks to achieve which are pretty straight forward, which is to win games and wait for Galatasaray to lose points and with Besiktas being below them with potentially 5 points difference, has meant that it would welcome such result. Without doubt, playing before Galatasaray compare to previous result has been mentally Fenerbahce advantage which it did use. It would be also argued, and despite of draw against Istanbulspor, Fenerbahce are in recent games are in better form.  Would this be enough to win title will be shown by time, but it does look pretty confidently that Fenerbahce likely would come out to derby game against Galatasaray with possibility to win title.

Fenerbahce would need to focus to win all games until end of the season and wait how Galatasaray would perform in this period.

Results:

Turkish Super League, 32nd week:

Istanbulspor 1:0 Giresunspor

In other news:

- TFF CEO Mehmet Buyukeksi: Clubs visiting us doesnt affect as at any ways. We tell referee committee and referees not to be affected either.

- Fenerbahce players Miha Zajc, Atilla Szalai and Gustavo Henrique has resumed training session after recovering from injury.

- Fenerbahce player Enner Valencia will not be able to play for week due of injury.

- Galatasaray-loaned player Milot Rashica has made principal deal with Burnley for 11 million pounds.

- Trabzonspor and Southampton are interested to transfer Fenerbahce-loaned player Irfan Can Egribat.