What happened in Turkish football today? 06/12/2017

Besiktas has ended group stage without losing single game.

Besiktas has carried on its winning habit at the Champions League even when it has secured its 1st place at the group stage as it has managed to win RB Leipzig with 2:1 scoreline with playing mainly substitute players and has become most successful Turkish club in history of competition at group stage.

One of the main advantage for Besiktas during today's game and in fact very rare event at the Turkish football of teams playing at European competition is that it was coming in very relaxed mode and has shown that during game as it was visible that German opponents were under pressure as it became clear during game. This blog has stated, gladfully,mistakenly that Besiktas might not take this game seriously due of squad which would play and also mood at the team but quite opposite it was fully focused to the game and has shown how it controlled game and wanted not to end group with a loss. It could been argued that compare to previous games Besiktas has provided more slower game but to some extend it was also patient calm game which is normal in those circumstances. Most important Besiktas has become 1st Turkish team to compete group stage with 14 points and without losing single game.

LB Leipzig compare to Besiktas has been coming out with much more pressure as it needed only win and hoping good result from other game at the group but this pressure has affected them negatively as it is young team without much experience at the tournament. Still, this has been a very valuable experience to team for future.

Besiktas has got qualified with historical result and performance at group stage and now would be awaiting for its potential opponents for last 16 stage on 11th December, likely hoping getting opponents like Basel and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Konyaspor can win Viitoria but even that might not be enough for last 32 stage.

Both Konyaspor and Basaksehirspor task at reaching to the Europa League last 32 stage of the tournament are very similar to each other as both sides need to win their own games and expect that other game at the group would go into their favour which makes their chances lower but still possible.

To some extend it could be argued that Konyaspor does have slightly easier task as their would play against Viitoria who are currently at last place and would come out to the game as formality and additing factor that Konyaspor has recieved its only win during this group stage against Portuguese side does raise some opportunies. However, in same time Marseille would need to win against Salzburg or at least draw as their opponents had arleady secured their group leading spot at the group. Therefore, it is important here as it is for Basaksehirspor game to aim to win its own game and then worry about other game and at worst case the team would bring some point to UEFA ranking to itself and also for Turkey. In here it is important to come out to the game with strong self-belief and remember that it has managed to win Viitoria previously.

Konyaspor are capable to get win at this game but would be that enough for last 32 stage would be decided by Salzburg reaction to Olympique Marseille.

Basaksehirspor last 32 ticket is complicated but its still possible. 

What makes Basaksehirspor situation harder compare to Konyaspor even through mathematically its in same condition as them is due of factor that even through Braga has secured last 32 spot it didnt secure its leading place at the group as it has 2 point difference with Ludogorets.

Firstly, Basaksehirspor needs to be aware of that and provide top level performance as it would have highly motivated team to themselves and hence its need to convert this motivation even more than opponents. In same manner, as Konyaspor it also needs to be certain that Ludogorets would lose against last place Hoffenheim which could be a difficult thing to ask as German side would come out for formalities and even through might be aiming to end their dissapointing group stage with a win, Ludogorets without doubt would come out with a strong focus and motivation which does make situation for them even more harder. However, here is important for Basaksehirspor to show top level performance and only aim for a win and who knows maybe Hoffenheim would provide flavour to Turkish side and it needs to play knowing that this might happen.

Therefore, Basaksehirspor chance to get to the last 16 are complicated but its possibly but to make half of this task it needs to win Braga and then hope good news from Hoffenheim.

Results:
UEFA Champions League, Group G, 6th week:
RB Leipzig 1:2 Besiktas
Porto 5:2 Monaco

Schedule:
UEFA Europa League, Group C, 6th week:
21:00 Basaksehirspor - Braga
21:00 Hoffenheim - Ludogorets

UEFA Europa League, Group I, 6th week:
23:05 Viitoria - Konyaspor
23:05 Marseille - Salzburg 

In other news: 

- Potential opponents for Besiktas at Champions League last 16 draw: Real Madrid, Basel, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Juventus, Sevilla, and Shakhtar Donetsk.

- Galatasaray assistant coach Ayhan Akman has broke nis nose during yesterday's training session.

- Barcelona player Arda Turan has recovered from his injury.

- Galatasaray player Selcuk Inan is expected to start against Akhisarspor during Super League 15th week game.

- Kayserispor head coach Marius Sumudica: We would play against one of the strongest teams in Turkey who has successful coach. Their made to next stage at Champions League. But we are not scared and would give all. I didnt come to this country for fight. We were aiming to get to changing room but Alanyaspor administrators waited us and wanted to provoke us.

- Galatasaray player Feghouli would recieve 75,000 euro bonus according to his contract clause for playing 10 games if he would start against Akhisarspor during 15th week game.

- Fenerbahce plans to extend contract with its player Eljif Elias for 5 years.

- Fenerbahce would send new transfer offer to Manchester United player Luke Shaw.

- Anderlecht are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Jason Denayer.

- Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Federation are interested to appoint coach Fatih Terim as national team head coach.

- Chelsea are interested to transfer Besiktas player Tolgay Arslan.

What happened in Turkish football today? 05/12/2017

Trabzonspor are showing more focussed performance with Riza Calimbay.

Trabzonspor carries on its rising performance with its head coach Riza Calimbay this time beating struggling team Antalyaspor with 3:0 scoreline during Super League 14th week game even through it did fail to show top level performance especially during 1st half.

In fact, as been mentioned by both head coaches following game, Antalyaspor has been much better side at the 1st half and has created high number of chances and possession of the ball but carries on showing lack of finding last touches despite of having pretty good squad. However, the factor that Trabzonspor has managed to win game with 3:0 scoreline at the poor performed game does show that team is highly focussed to the games and have strong self-belief which was missing at the side during start of the season. Without doubt Burak Yilmaz who has found 12 goals during this season and one goal behind most goal-scoring player Bafetembi Gomis does lion share of the team even through it needs to be agreed that team is playing better football as whole and Kasimpasa will have some difficult time this weekend.

Trabzonspor are at right mentally and would be looking to end its mid-season period at 100% with upcoming 3 games and it does look like it is capable to do that with such focus at the game.

Besiktas would come out for formality but RB Leipzig needs to win game.

Besiktas would be coming out to the Champions League 6th week game knowing that it would end group stage as leaders when it will meet with RB Leipzig who are still fighting for last 16 stage.
Taking account of circumstances which game would be played at it needs to be stated that RB Leipzig does come out to the game as favourite as it would aim for last 16 stage as it would also await for good news coming from Porto game. It is without doubt that Besiktas would also aim for win or at worst draw so it can affect to overall Turkish rating at the team which it does need but as always motivation does always play and when team comes out to win the game, their German opponents would have more chances to win game as Besiktas as it seems with pre-game and their squad does come out in well-relaxed mood which could affect negatively to game in their view but as team who end as leaders their wont mind about it of course.

Still, getting extra points and having high motivation for last 3 games of 1st half at the Super League is important for them and hence getting good result could boost performance to their side for the end of the calendar year.

Alanyaspor and Kayserispor had heated fight following their game in Super League. 

With this season going on with more or less in calm manner with much physical fights and strong words used between clubs to each other, it has been broken out with big fight following Super League 14th week game between Alanyaspor and Kayserispor which has ended with 2:1 scoreline to Kayserispor.

The fight has started at the changing room where it is believed that Alanyaspor goalkeeper coach has moved towards Kayserispor head coach Marius Sumudica and also translator Yalcin Ayhan and has attacked to them breaking their noses. However, there are also arguments that Marius Sumudica was one who has agressively moved towards Alanyaspor players which led into catalyst of this fight to take place from beginning. Even through both clubs CEO has blamed each other as soon as event took place, today both CEO has reduced their angry statements and has asked everyone not to build this event up. Therefore, unless media would decide to follow-up this story the reasons of this fight and upcoming events would not be able to make it clear what actually happened. Stating that their are reports that Kayserispor head coach Marius Sumudica and translator would open criminal case against Alanyaspor.

For now its hard to state something specific about this issue and we are at blog are really hoping this could be last case of such an event during this season or in fact ever in Turkish football.

Schedule:
UEFA Champions League, Group G, 6th week:
22:45 RB Leipzig - Besiktas
22:45 Porto - Monaco

In other news:

- PFDK referalls: 
- Yeni Malatyaspor player Aytac Kara has been referred for anti-sportmanship behaviour 
- Goztepe has been referred for events at the field
- Besiktas has been referred for behaviour of fans
- Besiktas administrator Ahmet Nur Cebi has been referred for anti-sportmanship behaviour at changing room.
- Galatasaray, Konyaspor and Bursaspor has been referred for events at the field and behaviour of fans
- Fenerbahce has been referred for behaviour of fans and not leaving stairs empty during game.
- Alanyaspor administrator Baran Bojnac, Alanyaspor player Deniz Turuc and Kayserispor player Silviu Lang has referred for attack.

- Trabzonspor player Jan Durica will not be able to play for 2 weeks due of injury.

- Besiktas players Pepe, Babel, Atiba Hutchinson, Quaresma and Tolga Arslan were not included at 18-team squad for Champions League 6th week game against RB Leipzig.

- Galatasaray CEO Dursun Ozbek: We have no aims at changing head coach right now. Our focus is to identify mistakes we made and find solution to them. As club we still believe that we get league title.

- Kasimpasa player Fode Koita has resumed training sessions after recovering from injuries.

- Antalyaspor player Samuel Eto'o is reported to be not as serious as expected.

- Bursaspor player Pablo Batalla has become injured during training session.

- Fenerbahce considers to sell or loan its player Robin van Persie and Fernandao during mid-season transfer window.

- Fenerbahce player Eljif Elmas has recieved best youth player award from Macedonian Football Federation.

- Trabzonspor are interested to loan Konyaspor player Riad Bajic.

- Barcelona CEO Josep Bartomeu: To be honest, I would like for Arda Turan to stay at the club. He had injuries and we didnt recieve any offers for him. His future at club depends from him.

- Besiktas considers to bring foreign administrator who would be responsible with club's youth academy.

- Galatasaray administration will have talk with its player Fernando Muslera to discuss about decrease of his performance in recent weeks.

- Besiktas players Tolgay Arslan and Atiba Hutchinson injuries ended up being not too serious.

- Besiktas head coach Senol Gunes had heated argument during Super League 14th week game against Galatasaray with his assistant coach Seref Cicek.

- Besiktas has offered 10 million euro to Benfica to purchase Anderson Talisca who is loaned to team.

- Fenerbahce are expected to start with Mathieu Valbuena and Vincent Janssen during Super League 15th week game against Bursaspor.

What happened in Turkish football today? 04/12/2017

Trabzonspor has raised its winning streak at the league to 3 games. 

Trabzonspor carries on its on-form performance as it has won pretty comfortably against Antalyaspor during Super League 14th week game and has managed to win its 3rd game back-to-back with the help of Burak Yilmaz who has scored 2 goals.

Even through Trabzonspor start playing its top football pretty late at the season with today's win it has got 8 points behind of league leaders Basaksehirspor and to some extend also found themselves at the title race even through its situation is pretty hard that among point difference with leaders there are teams above them. However, its important note that club's new head coach Riza Calimbay so far has only lost one game in 4 league games and that only loss game has been in the week when he joined team. To some extend Antalyaspor has also used factor that Antalyaspor are not at good form to its advantage and hence has got such an important result. It does need to be mentioned also that Trabzonspor start playing pretty good collective football and becomes team to beat at the Super League in upcoming weeks. Only negative part is for Jan Kurica to get injured during today's game.

Antalyaspor in other hand is in very poor condition without able to get its maximum performance taking account of level of squad which team has. It needs to get things better and improve its performance if it doesnt want to get into relegation zone.

Trabzonspor is currently is at the great form as been mentioned and with Burak Yilmaz keep on carrying on scoring goals would be able to push his team forward and get closer to the top part of the standings at the Super League.

Fenerbahce are getting into mood of fighting for league title both mentally and physically.

Fenerbahce carries on its improving performance at the league as it has won this time against Kasimpasa during Super League 14th week game with 4:2 scoreline and right now are 4 points behind league leaders Basaksehirspor.

Among winning 3rd game back-to-back it needs to be stated that Fenerbahce has shown one of its best performances not only during this season but also for recent years as it has controlled game from start to end with also Giuliano without doubt becoming one of the key players with finding 2 goals. It needs to be stated that with high level performance by Fenerbahce and also loss of points of their opponents above their team put them into motivation for league title race even more and as team their start playing football which was missed by high number of their supporters without doubt. It was also important to find 4 goals at the game where their had lack of attackers for different reasons. Only negative things about yesterday performance which could be seen from the team and supporters is to concede once again two simple goals and even through it did seemed to solve those issue in last 2 games, it was visible it was an issue in game yesterday.

Fenerbahce is also getting into good habit at finding goals as their become most goalscoring team with 30 goals so far and now would look forward to continue this performance against Bursaspor 8th December.

Basaksehirspor has become league leaders after 14th week.

With Galatasaray losing to Besiktas with 3:0 scoreline during Super League 14th week game and Basaksehirspor winning Osmanlispor it has managed to be league leaders becoming 2nd team to take top position during this season.

One of the main question during this season has been if Basaksehirspor would be able to carry on its title race in similar manner as it didlast season with taking account that it would be at Europa League. So far, Basaksehirspor has managed to show this performance which it needed and with winning Galatasaray 5:1 and in overall not losing any games against big teams has proven that its a team which is capable to fight and even become champions. Saying that this season seems to be specificaly hard to win as high number of teams seems to be able to fight for that place especially after Galatasaray start losing points. Basaksehirspor in same time however does seem to struggle as their win against Osmanlispor and also draw against Kayserispor last week so it is big question if it would be able to carry on this performance with high pressure of being leader but it is expected that it gained an important experience from last season.

Basaksehirspor would be expected to be at race for leadership at least until mid-season break and are expected to carry on this performance during 2nd half of the season for sure.

Results:
Turkish Super League, 14th week:
Alanyaspor 1:2 Kayserispor
Trabzonspor 3:0 Antalyaspor

In other news:

- UEFA has announced referee of Champions League Group G 6th week game between RB Leipzig and Besiktas as Viktor Kassai.

- UEFA has announced referee of Europa League Group H 6th week game between Basaksehirspor and Braga as John Beaton.

- UEFA has announced referee of Europa League Group I 6th week game between Konyaspor and Viitoria as Daniel Siebert.

- Turkish referee Metin Kalkavan has been appointed to Europa League Group F game between Zlin and Lokomotiv Moscow.

- There was fight at changing room between Alanyaspor and Kayserispor players and coaches following Super League 14th week game.

- Kayserispor CEO Erol Bedir: After game Alanyaspor goalkeeper coach has attacked to our side. Our coach Marius Sumudica nose has been bleeding he is now taken to the hospital. I am sad Alanyaspor administration didnt do anything. I cant comment much as I have limited info.

- Alanyaspor vice-CEO Ahmet Pasaoglu: Kasimpasa head coach and players has attacked our goalkeeper coach. This is visible at recordings. Everyone would see it and people who blame will apologize.

- Fenerbahce head coach Aykut Kocaman: Galatasaray which has started season well is losing points right now, Basaksehirspor is in good form. It does look like 6-7 clubs would go until end unless 1 team manages to get ahead a lot. Its hard to identify opponents, anyone can be.

- Galatasaray CEO Dursun Ozbek: We would have pre-scheduled weekly meeting on 5th December. There is no talks about head coach replacement. We didnt contact Fatih Terim, he said this also to media.

- Antalyaspor player Samuel Eto'o has become injured during Super League 14th week game against Trabzonspor.

- Galatasaray administrator Cenk Ergun will have discussion and give warnings to team players Belhanda, Maicon, Fernando and Ndiaye for poor performance against Besiktas during Super League 14th week game.

- Galatasaray player Hakan Balta considers to end his football career at his current team.

- Besiktas are expected to start with its player Gary Medel, Alvaro Negredo and Jeremain Lens during Champions League 6th week game against Leipzig.

- Juventus are interested to transfer Besiktas player Cenk Tosun.

- Besiktas and Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Arsenal player Oliver Giroud.

What happened in Turkish football today? 03/12/2017

Fenerbahce has provided great attacking football against Kasimpasa. 

Fenerbahce has won very important game against Kasimpasa with 4:2 scoreline during Super League 14th week game and has reduced point difference from league leaders to 4 points which has become Basaksehirspor at the end of the day.

Fenerbahce without doubt was coming to an important win following Besiktas beating Galatasaray at the derby game and has led Fenerbahce to perform its top level performance even through it has conceded 2 goals during the game. It was among interesting points to see how Fenerbahce would respond during attacks without having high number of attackers due of cards punishment and injuries. However today game especially by Giuliano who has scored 2 goals has led as whole team to win 4 goals. Fenerbahce as whole carries on providing high level performance and could be stated that with a form is in better side than Galatasaray and would be fighting for league leadership until mid-season break and start 2018 with an aim for league title. What is more important with Fenerbahce that its start playing collectively fast and effective football and has gained high level of motivation and confidence which it would be able to carry on for Bursaspor game.

It does need to be stated that Kasimpasa who came to the game with a good form themselves, as their didnt lose 4 last games, has also provided an attacking football and even through did have trouble to keep on path with Fenerbahce high tempo performance.

Fenerbahce has managed to win 3 games back - to-back and adding this Turkish Cup game against Adana Demirspor has won 4 games for now. Fenerbahce are now highly focussed and motivated for leadership aim at the league.

Besiktas has shown superiority over Galatasaray in all of the fronts.

Besiktas has shown once again to everyone in Turkey that when it would be playing with high concentration football as it did against Galatasaray during Super League 14th week it would become unstoppable team as it has won game with 3:0 scoreline.

Even through game ended with 3:0 scoreline it needs to be stated that the game could have easily ended with 6:0 or 7:0 scoreline if Ricardo Quaresma and Oguzhan Ozyakup has used their chances more effectively in between 46th and 70th minute. During whole game it was visible that Besiktas had much better understanding and organisation not only indivudally but as a team that both when it had controlled ball or been at Galatasaray it was aware what it was doing compare to its opponents.
This win would mean that their are had reduced point difference with league leaders to 3 points and with 3 games left until mid-season break can even possibly aim for league leaders position. Even through Galatasaray has provided poor performance during whole game the factor that Besiktas has also provided top football didnt allow their opponents to do anything.

Right now Besiktas would be focussing into formality game against RB Leipzig at Champions League and more or less has chance to provide full focus towards Super League at least until February.

Igor Tudor future at Galatasaray are questionable following loss to Besiktas. 

In other hand, poor performance of Galatasaray and its head coach Igor Tudor against big clubs at the Super League been carried on at the game against Besiktas where its been lucky to lose it with 3:0 scoreline.

Even through Galatasaray does show strong performance against average teams at the league, it does have big issue at winning or even scoring against their main rivals. Even through, and for weeks this blog has stated that it is still advantage, Galatasaray has lost its strong advantage at the league against 2nd placed team and have even risk at losing its leadership to Basaksehirspor. The main blame without trouble would be given towards Igor Tudor who doesnt have much knowledge and experience at providing top performances against strong teams which in return leads them to get poor results in those games. Right now Igor Tudor place as head coach are having big questions as it is clear that this performance against big clubs might not bring league title to team.

Would Igor Tudor stay as club's head coach in 2018 are big question right now and time would show it and as usual our page and blog would follow all developments regarding Igor Tudor future.

Results:
Turkish Super League, 14th week:
Konyaspor 0:3 Bursaspor
Genclerbirligi 4:0 Sivasspor
Basaksehirspor 1:0 Osmanlispor

Schedule:
Turkish Super League, 14th week:
20:00 Alanyaspor - Kayserispor
20:00 Trabzonspor - Antalyaspor

In other news:

- Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir will be refereeing Champions League 6th week game between Bayern Munich and PSG on 5th December.

- Besiktas player Atiba Hutchinson has become injured during Super League 14th week game against Galatasaray.

- Besiktas administrator Ahmet Nur Cebi has been viewing Super League 14th week game against Galatasaray with Galatasaray administrators at stadium.

- Manchester City scouts would be present during Super League 14th week game between Trabzonspor and Antalyaspor focussing at Trabzonspor player Yusuf Yazici.

What happened in Turkish football today? 02/12/2017

Besiktas has dominated Galatasaray and has won game in well-deserved manner.

Besiktas has managed to win derby against against Galatasaray during Super League 14th week game with 3:0 scoreline but it needs to be stated that the team could have won with better result especially during 2nd half. The difference between both sides has been become clear even through Galatasaray is above at the table.

It needs to be stated that derby game has been played in an exciting manner with high chances and has dominated game from start to end by Besiktas which has led them to win game with top performance. It was mentioned by many that Besiktas would be able to win this game without any issue would be if their would be playing game like their do at the Champions League. It needs to be stated that it did just that during game and has created high number of the chances during the game especially 2nd half where it could have won game much more comfortably. Besiktas has been played in much better control of game with ball and didnt allow Galatasaray to get into game without all. This performance by Besiktas without doubt has been send message to all opponents that it would be fighting for league title.

In other hand, Galatasaray has been seen without any organisation, good plan and a team which doesnt look to be leaders of the league right now and has struggled at all fields and section at the stadium against Besiktas. It does need to be state that even through Bafetembi Gomis has wanted to create a good chances during the game he didnt recieve good chances and has focussed towards end to create chances himself but he didnt achieve that a lot during game. Unfortunately to Galatasaray it was visible that their didnt get into concentration at the game and has made high number of simple mistakes with their assists and does send serious messages to its supporters that it would have trouble during big teams which without doubt could become risk for them. It needs to be stated that its not certain that their would enter to mid-season as leaders of the league.

Besiktas has created a good chance during game and has won in very deserved manner and had now reduced point difference to 3 points and without having Champions League until February would be able to focus entirely to Super League.

Fenerbahce coming out with good motivation against Kasimpasa 

Following rise of performance as it has 3 games back-to-back at the Super League and Turkish Cup and not conceding goals for 2 games it would be coming out to the Kasimpasa Super League 14th week game with high motivation.

Fenerbahce head coach Aykut Kocaman did state for number of the weeks right now that their need to get a good series of the game and without doubt he and team would be aiming to achieve this period of wins until mid-season break including Kasimpasa game. One of the issues at Fenerbahce is to play without an attacker due of injuries and also cards bans however as it is important to state that Alper Potuk performnace at Turkish Cup 5th round 1st leg game against Adana Demirspor hat-trick would mean that their could be able to provide similar performance against Kasimpasa. With Kasimpasa not playing well in recent weeks Fenerbahce would be coming as favourites for the game tonight and also would have better motivation.

Fenerbahce needs to build on game with recent performance and again focus into not conceding goal and aim for higher places at the table.

Deportivo La Coruna are interested to loan Fenerbahce player Ozan Tufan. 

One of the few transfer news which has been surrounding today at the Turkish sports media today is the news that Deportivo La Coruna are interested to loan Ozan Tufan who is not showing great performance during this season.

Fenerbahce player Ozan Tufan has become one of the players who was expected to be players taken from squad following big revision expected at the team during mid-season transfer window. With Deportivo La Coruna showing an interest to loan him could also good news for all sides as he would be able to get some playing time and get possibly to his old performance which he has shown at Bursaspor of course he would be able to join team at La Liga. However, as been mentioned this are only rumours for now and time would see if he would be joining them all not.

This deal as been mentioned would be an advantage both for Fenerbahce and Ozan Tufan as it would be expected for Tufan to be motivated to show high level performance in Deportivo La Coruna if he joins them.

Results:
Turkish Super League, 14th week:
Akhisarspor 0:0 Yeni Malatyaspor
Karabukspor 0:1 Bursaspor
Besiktas 3:0 Galatasaray

Schedule
Turkish Super League, 14th week:
14:00 Konyaspor - Bursaspor
14:00 Genclerbirligi - Sivasspor
16:30 Basaksehirspor - Osmanlispor
19:30 Fenerbahce - Kasimpasa

In other news:

- Galatasaray budget for 2017 has been revised from 129,370,112 TL to 527,069,369 TL.

- Barcelona player Arda Turan manager Ahmet Bulut: We are having transfer talks with 3-4 clubs. Galatasaray are not among them. He would leave in mid-season transfer window. It can be loan or transfer.

- Antalyaspor administrator Dundar Ulugkay has stated that administrators give their support to current CEO Ali Safak Ozturk.

- Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Milan player Hakan Calhanoglu.

- Tottenham Hotspur are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Yusuf Yazici.

What happened in Turkish football today? 01/12/2017

Trabzonspor has got an important motivation to end year with best results.

Thanks to the hat-trick of the Trabzonspor player Hugo Rodallega against Erzurum Buyuksehir Belediyespor, Trabzonspor has managed to win Turkish Cup 5th round 1st leg with 4:0 scoreline and is very close to get to the last 16 stage.

In fact, all of the top 4 teams at the Turkey didnt have much trouble against lower division sides as Besiktas has managed to win Manisaspor with 9 goals, Galatasaray winning 5:1 against Sivas Belediyespor and Fenerbahce winning with 6:0 goals against Adana Demirspor. In other words, if nothing would happen during 2nd leg all of the big 4 would be at last 16 as expected. It was incredible important for Trabzonspor to get such a comfortbale win as its not doing too well at the Super League where it doesnt show good performance even through its recent results are pretty good. Meanwhile, Hugo Rodallega is showing a good performance at the Turkish Cup finding also number of goals during previous stage against Corlu Belediyespor despite of getting needless red card.

Surely, this performance at Turkish Cup would positively affect to the Super League where it aims to end season with best results it can get possibly with 100% record.

Besiktas has high confidence against Galatasaray due of factor that their opponents doesnt win big teams with Tudor

With Turkish Cup 5th round 1st leg games right now full focus is given to the Super League especially without doubt towards derby game between Besiktas and Galatasaray which would be also last derby game of 2017.

Besiktas which plays at home and has great results at the Vodafone Arena without losing any games would still be aiming to find its 1st win at the derby game as all prior games has ended with a draw. With being 6 points behind league leaders without doubt it would be aiming to reduce point difference against their leaders and get closer to the title race prior to enter to the mid-season break. Besiktas does have advantage as it didnt play Champions League and has been focussed entirely to Galatasaray game as their substitutes has played at the Turkish Cup. It needs to be stated that Besiktas would have this advantage as their fans which did move forward their team at Champions League would certainly do same during Galatasaray game. Also that aware that Igor Tudor didnt win against big 4 until now would provide motivation to them.

Therefore, Besiktas have some advantage but it needs to remember that it can have trouble with current form of their opponent despite of having trouble against big clubs.

Galatasaray needs to brave football against Besiktas if it wants to win game. 

In other hand, Galatasaray are coming out to the game with 6 point advantage over Besiktas and hence it provides less pressure compare to opponents at table wise towards them which without doubt does provide lots of advantage in derby games.

It also needed to be stated that Galatasaray and Igor Tudor are determined to win game with getting better position towards mid-season break which is getting close and also manage to win their 1st game against "big clubs". As been stated still at the Besiktas section it will not be an easy game as their opponents has strong advantage at playing home ground with strong support from their fans. However, its important for them to take this issue out of sight and focus to dominate game and playing proud football factor which been biggest issue against other big teams during this season. Therefore, this derby game is very difficult to predict even through some things does make Besiktas slightly more advantegous.

What is important here is for Galatasaray to play proud football or otherwise it wont be able to get their 1st derby win with Tudor and dissapoint Besiktas and their supporters at their home ground.

Schedule: 
Turkish Super League, 14th week:
14:00 Akhisarspor - Yeni Malatyaspor
16:30 Karabukspor - Goztepe
19:30 Besiktas - Galatasaray

In other news:

- Barcelona will offer Arda Turan to Arsenal in return of their player Mesut Ozil.

- Besiktas CEO Fikret Orman: I didnt travel to England to talk about our players but to find players for us. Their come to us if their want to buy our player. We dont plan to sell Cenk Tosun. We dont have issue with Senol Gunes.We dont want to spend high amount of money to Talisca but we do want him to stay at team. We try to solve it but if he wont stay it will not be end of the world. I am considering to end my CEO position in 2022.

- Osmanlispor head coach Irfan Buz: For us, Basaksehirspor game is very important. We would play against team which is 3 points behind leaders. We would aim for a win as it would motivate us for future.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Udinese player Seko Fofana.

- Fenerbahce has made sponsorship deal with Spor Toto for 5 years with 10,000,000 euro value.

- Galatasaray CEO Dursun Ozbek: I am really happy with how our team and coach are performing this season. Results are visible, team gives excitement. We made this team with Igor Tudor. He is being successful. Why he keeped criticised for weeks.We are 6 points ahead of our main opponents. This is big success. Noone should reduce our team good performance. Both sides would want to win upcoming derby game meanwhile.

- Newcastle United are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Garry Rodrigues.

- Konyaspor are interested to transfer an attacker during mid-season transfer window.

- Fenerbahce are expected to start with its player Alper Potuk during Super League 14th week game against Kasimpasa.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Gimnasia player Alexis Martin Arias.

What happened in Turkish football today? 30/11/2017

Hugo Rodallega has brought win to Trabzonspor at Turkish Cup.

Trabzonspor has shown thats its not much worser than big Istanbul clubs during its Turkish Cup 5th round 1st leg game against Erzurum Buyuksehir Belediyespor game where it has won with 4:0 scoreline thanks to hat-trick from Hugo Rodallega.

In fact, this game has been very similar to other top 4 clubs at the Turkey as it has gained a very comfortable win prior to 2nd leg against teams which are below them at division and would also come out to the 2nd game for formalities. The hero of the game has been without doubt Hugo Rodallega who has shown full focus towards game and has used chances which he used in effective manner. The youth players or players who didnt recieve lots of playing time during this season at the Trabzonspor needs to be stated did also show high level performance and played an important role at getting this comfortable win against Erzurum Buyuksehir Belediyespor. Another advantage side of the game has been factor that Kucka has played 1st game after recovering from injury and did show to be at good form right now.

Meanwhile, Erzurum Buyuksehir Belediyespor did come to game as underdogs it was still expected that it would provide some better football as Trabzonspor does have some trouble at Turkish Cup in recent seasons but in same time Trabzonspor does look to be determined at the tournament at least in this early stages.

Trabzonspor if will not make big mistakes at the 2nd leg at Erzurum would get their ticket at last 16 and can also focus to Super League upcoming games starting with this weekend Antalyaspor game.

Fenerbahce has boosted its building motivation following 6:0 win against Adana Demirspor.

Fenerbahce carries on its winning habit which it has finally recieved with its head coach Aykut
Kocaman as it managed to get very comfortable win against Adana Demirspor with 6:0 scoreline at the Turkish Cup 5th round 1st leg making it 3 games back -to-back and more importantly 2nd game in row without conceding goal.

Foremost, it is important to note that it was expected for Fenerbahce to get a comfortable win against Adana Demirspor but it wasnt to be taken in such an easy way and to some extend many people thought that their opponents would be coming out to 2nd leg with small chance to fight for during 2nd leg. Without the main player of the game has been Alper Potuk with his hattrick which did send strong message to the Aykut Kocaman that he is capable to take place of an attacking players as it is known that Fenerbahce will come out without their main attackers available due of either injuries and card bans. Once again it might be not right to use this game as reference for Kasimpasa and other upcoming games at the Super League but it would allow Fenerbahce to build on its motivation which it has gained in last 2 weeks.

Fenerbahce would now be looking forward for this weekend Super League game against Kasimpasa where it would certainly would come out with only focus to win game with an opportunity to get closer to one or maybe even two of its main rivals who would play against themselves this weekend also.

Turkish clubs in battle with Belgium to reduce one qualifying stage for 2nd-place team at Champions League with new system introduced. 

UEFA has finalised its main changes which would take place at the Champions League and Europa League. Even through new changes does mean that 2nd placed team could have easier route to the main competition to of levels of the team at the competition, in same time this team would have 2 extra games due of changes of qualification process.

Even through it is now clear that 2nd placed team for certain would enter at 2nd qualifying round during next season there is chance for Turkish 2nd placed team in upcoming season to move one place up and start at 3rd qualifying round and make its route among being easier also faster.
According to UEFA system 10 places of countries at the coefficient has better advantage at the system and right now Belgium is taking 9th place just above Turkey. It is important to note foremost that Besiktas is doing very important role for gaining points for Turkey but for them to overpass Belgium, who does have poor season in Europe, it is also crucial here for Basaksehirspor and Konyaspor to get to the knockout stages at the Europa League which is hard but still possible task. Meanwhile, Turkey did gain 5,000+ points than Belgium this season but since coefficient looks at past 5 seasons there is still many points needs to gathered for Turkey this season. Positive side that this recent trend of Turkish clubs in overall does show that Turkey has capacity to overpass Belgium, even if it might not be this season.

Again, as been mentioned Besiktas is doing their lion share and their successful performance at Champions League would play important role here but role of Basaksehirspor and Konyaspor right now is not small either.

Results:
Turkish Cup, 5th round, 1st leg:
Orhangazi Belediyespor 0:3 Antalyaspor
Giresunspor 4:2 Alanyaspor
Kahramanmaraspor 1:3 Basaksehirspor
Erzurum Buyuksehir Belediyespor 0:4 Trabzonspor
Kayserispor 3:2 Eyupspor

In other news:

- PFDK decisions:
- Fenerbahce, Yeni Malatyaspor and Sivasspor has recieved 15,000 TL fine for behaviour of fans.
- Besiktas has recieved 75,000 TL fine and blockage of stadium due of fans behaviour and 45,000 TL for events at the field.
- Osmanlispor has recieved 100,000 TL for allowing fans which are not allocated.
- Sivasspor has recieved blockage of stadium of some sections due of behaviour of fans

- Fenerbahce player Mehmet Ekici will not be able to play for 2 weeks due of injury.

- UEFA administrators has checked condition of Besiktas stadium Vodafone Park as it will host Super Cup 2019.

- Bursaspor player Ekong expects to recover from his injuries for Super League 15th week game against Fenerbahce.

- Besiktas player Oguzhan Ozyakup is expected to start against Galatasaray during Super League 14th week game.

- Fenerbahce head coach Aykut Kocaman considers to take away from squad its player Robin van Persie.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Olympique Lyon player Jordan Ferri.

- Valencia are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Abdulkadir Omur.

- Alanya and Goztepe are interested to transfer Besiktas player Orkan Cinar.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Manchester United player Danny Blind.

- Fenerbahce are expected to start with Mauricio Isla during Super League 14th week game against Kasimpasa.