What happened in Turkish football today? 21/10/2023

 

Galatasaray is in much better condition than Besiktas currently. 

Loser of the derby game between Galatasaray and Besiktas has been more affected from this outcome, as Besiktas did is being 9 points behind Galatasaray after losing 2:1 and could be potentially end week with 11 points behind Fenerbahce if latter win Hatayspor on 22nd October.

It needs to be mentioned that game has started at fast tempo with both sides did look for chances and did create them however as the game progressed Galatasaray did get control of the game and slowly started dominating game back-to-back with creating some very good chances which has led for an opening goal from Mauro Icardi on 26th minute. That goal without doubt has raised confidence to Galatasaray as it started creating much mroe chances but it also needs to be mentioned that red card of Mert Gunok did make things easier for Galatasaray. However, it did concede goal during 2nd half with good counter-attack of opponent which did come when Galatasaray did some relaxation but it needs to be stated Galatasaray did find goal from questionable penalty. It could be noted that Galatasaray did show tempo which been seen on previous game but it has been enough to beat Besiktas.

When looking into how both sides did perform during 90 minutes, it could be mentioned that level of preparedness and quality has been clear as Besiktas wasnt able to play at same tempo as did Galatasaray and did make lots of mistakes. It needs to be stated not to much criticism should be given however to Burak Yilmaz as it has only been his 2nd game as head coach and it is being his first derby game naturally. Besiktas hence did lose from poor form which it has in full season, lack of quality compare to opponent and also inexperience of head coach which likely did play direct role for the result. Besiktas needs to be stated did come with willingness and did show strong character when its been with 1 men, and hence there couldnt be given too much criticism towards willingness of player. Besiktas now finds itself 9 points behind current leaders Galatasaray which did drop their chances for title much less but in positive note it did provide crucial derby experience to Burak Yilmaz.

Galatasaray did look to be better side on the field and has shown strong attacking game which led them to get 2:1 victory and hence also get crucial confidence prior to Bayern Munich while Besiktas did show its not in level to play against such opponent.

Fenerbahce will be meeting with undefeated Hatayspor at crucial league game.

Fenerbahce would be aiming to carry on its impressive winning run against Hatayspor during Super League 9th week but it would be also among most toughest game since start of the season as their opponent is being among 3 clubs which didnt lose game during this season.

Fenerbahce is being one of the most in form side at the league and also would be at high confidence as it would be playing against team which is being coaching by legendary player for Fenerbahce, Volkan Demirel which without doubt would be an emotional game for both side. Even through and do all respect to Hatayspor, they are being as been noted one of the undefeated sides but it does have lots of draws and has failed to get high tempo so it would be also crucial for Hatayspor in what form they would be coming but stating that when looking into quality and also recent results at the league would also put Fenerbahce to be favourites for the game. It also needs to be stated that Fenerbahce players did have good performance at national team duty and hence would be returning to league at high confidence mood.

Fenerbahce hence would be coming as favourites but it would be playing against side which didnt lose game in this season so it turn out to be tough game for them.

Fenerbahce interested to sign Jonathan Burkadt

It is reported that Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Mainz 05 player Jonathan Burkadt during mid-season transfer window in place of Michy Batshuayi who is expected to be leaving side during mid-season transfer window.

It is reported that Batshuayi is being unhappy at the team for not getting enough playing time during of players like Edin Dzeko being main player and hence he does consider to leave team during mid-season transfer window which did leave for Fenerbahce to look for alternatives names and one of the first names has been Mainz 05 player Jonathan Burkadt who could be very good alternative at the attacking level and being player with high potentiality and since he is not yet in level of star player he would not provide much issue for being mainly at substitute and opposite would be willing to get experiece at such squad very likely.

With Michy Batshuayi likely to leave side during mid-season transfer window it does look like replacement for him would be among most discussed transfer talks in winter which we would follow on our accounts.

Results:

Turkish Super League, 9th week:

Kayserispor 3:1 Rizespor

Gaziantep 1:0 Antalyaspor

Konyaspor 1:2 Pendikspor

Galatasaray 2:1 Besiktas

Schedule:

Turkish Super League, 9th week:

13:30 Sivasspor - Kasimpasa

16:00 Istanbulspor - Ankaragucu

19:00 Fenerbahce-Hatayspor

19:00 Samsunspor-Basaksehirspor

In other news:

- AlAhli player Merih Demiral has went through operation

- AtleticoMadrid and Tottenham Hotspur scouts would be viewing Galatasaray player Kerem Akturkoglu at stadium at game against Besiktas

What happened in Turkish football today? 20/10/2023

 

Galatasaray do come out as strong favourites during derby game.

Turkish Super League would be returning after national team break with an Istanbul derby game between Galatasaray and Besiktas as home ground side are playing strong favourites taking account it plays at home and its form.

Galatasaray has started season without losing any single game at the league and also does provide strong performance at the Champions League while Besiktas are going through difficult period and hence on paper Galatasaray does look favourites as it is also playing at home ground. One of the key advantages therefore for Galatasaray is also taking account that team would be coming out with high confidence and motivation to the game and it would be expected to have positive impact with how it improves. As always, it is expected for both Kerem Akturkoglu and Mauro Icardi to take leading role at the front and getting closer to find goals and/or assists each other during game. It also expected for side to show an attacking game which tends to be case for all of the games especially at the start of the game.

Galatasaray hence would be coming out as favourites but always derby is being open for surprising outcomes.

Besiktas need to win Galatasaray to keep its chances for top spots alive.

Even through Besiktas are being seen as underdogs for derby game against Galatasaray it would need to be mentioned that this game is more important for them as possible loss would significantly reduce chances for their fight at top spot in the league.

Another factor which needs to be taken from Besiktas side this game is being a great opportunity for Burak Yilmaz to make an important mark as he would get an opportunity to get win in strong form Galatasaray during his 2nd game as head coach in career or at least he would be aiming to show good performance. As it is known, there would be also Besiktas supporters during game and even through their might not have much effect with strong Galatasaray, they would be able to provide feeling of not being alone for Besiktas game. It needs to be mentioned that Besiktas would be feeling under pressure much more than Galatasaray and it would be interesting to see how it would cope with it during game.

Besiktas are feeling hence into much pressure as they need to win game and it would be interesting to see how side would respond during game.

Besiktas claims that referee of derby game has been changed.

Prior to derby game, there were also scandalous statements from Besiktas regarding referee stating that TFF has changed referee of game from Ali Sansalan to Halil Umut Meler.

Besiktas claims that following decisions has come following an interview of Galatasaray administrator Erdem Timur where he has criticised Ali Sansalan as it is reported that Sansalan decision did come thanks to AI as tends to do. If this claims are true, this could be scandalous decision and needs to be going through even through sadly Besiktas are known to raise tensions prior to derby games especially with referee point of view so it is questionable. In either case, TFF would need to go through internal investigation of matter and publicise findings.

Sadly, there is been tensions between clubs regarding referees especially and it needs to be reduced to keep this game and league enjoyable without doubt as this events only do harm.

Schedule:

Turkish Super League, 9th week:

13:30 Kayserispor - Rizespor

16:00 Gaziantep - Antalyaspor

16:00 Konyaspor-Pendikspor

19:00 Galatasaray-Besiktas

In other news:

- TFF has announced that Turkish Super Cup game between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce will be played on 30th December in Al Awwal Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

- Galatasaray administrator Erden Timur has been referred to PFDK for anti-sportmanship statements.

- Fenerbahce player Serdar Aziz has become injured.

- TurkishNationalTeam player Yunus Akgun goal against Latvia during Euro 2024 qualifier has been selected as goal of the week.

-Fenerbahce has send request to TFF regarding of - Galatasaray considers to sell its player Cedric Bakambu during mid-season transfer window.

- Zenit, Lokomotiv Moscow and CSKA Moscow are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Abdulkerim Bardakci.

- TottenhamHotspur, Aston Villa, West Ham United, Brighton, Nottingham Forest, Everton are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Kerem Akturkoglu.

statements from Galatasaray administrator Erden Timur.

- Antalyaspor players Ramzi Safuri and Sagiv Jehezkel dont want to play against Gaziantep as their dont want to participate at minute of silence prior to game towards Israel attack to hospital.

- RealMadrid player Carlo Ancellotti: Arda Guler is recovered from injury but he still needs around 10 days to be entirely ready for games.

What happened in Turkish football today? 19/10/2023

Jean Onana considers to leave Besiktas in mid-season transfer window.

It is reported that Besiktas player Jean Onana is currently considering to leave team during mid-season transfer window as player doesnt recieve lots of playing time and does get some criticism from Turkish sports media.

There are been lots of discussion regarding of Jean Onana transfer as he didnt provide level of performance which has been accepted by him and hence is being seen to be transfer mistake for Besiktas as he didnt provide any sign of strengths. It does look team's technical staff is also aware of this as he didnt recieve lots of playing time, possibly even less than he deserves to some extend. Stating that we do have new caretaker coach Burak Yilmaz who could provide him some playing time and hence second chance in upcoming game even through it would not be expected to be case against Galatasaray game on 21st October.

Hence, it does look that Jean Onana future in the club could be discussed in upcoming periods and we would follow it as always.

Cardiff City are interested to transfer Salih Ucan.

Cardiff City are reported to be interested to transfer Besiktas player Salih Ucan who is being player which does show some strong and confident performance in the team.

It needs to be noted that Cardiff City is being coach by Turkish referee Emre Bulut and hence he is being very familar with level of performance of Ucan in the league and hence would be more deciding if he is performance would be suitable for Cardiff City or not. Stating that it needs to be noted that Salih Ucan does have strong connection with Besiktas so it could be pretty difficult transfer negotiations as both club and player would not like to leave easily.

This only being rumour right now without any confirmation but it could be expected for Bulut to go after Turkish midfielder in upcoming periods.

Nice and Rennes are interested to transfer Yusuf Sari

Nice and Rennes are reported to be showing strong interest towards Adana Demirspor player Yusuf Sari who is having outstanding season both in his club and also at national games on October.

Without doubt, Yusuf Sari is being player who is being developing during last 2 seasons with becoming one of the key players at Adana Demirspor and that account that Adana Demirspor has lots of experienced and strong players. Hence, it should not be interesting that two French sides are showing strong interests towards him especially as some Turkish players did mark an important place at Ligue 1 in recent seasons with top level performances.

It does look like lots of clubs around Europe will show interests towards Yusuf Sari and we would follow it at our accounts all developments.

In other news:

- TurkishNationalTeam player Yunus Akgun goal against Latvia at Euro 2024 qualifier has been nominated as goal of the week.

- Galatasaray player Hakim Ziyech has resumed training session after recovering from injury.

- Santos are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Luan Peres.

- Besiktas player Jean Onana considers to leave team during mid-season transfer window.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Leicester City player Wilfred Ndidi.

- Besiktas player Umut Meras has become injured.

What happened in Turkish football today? 18/10/2023

Besiktas fans will be allowed to enter to Galatasaray game

It has become announced that Besiktas supporters would be allowed to attend Galatasaray home ground Rams Park Arena for Super League derby game as it is reported that away fans ban during Istanbul derby games has been lifted.

According to reports, decision did come on mutual agreement and first game which it would go into effect will be this week derby game between Galatasaray and Besiktas as both supporters would be having an important role as this supporters ban has been lifted on previous years but didnt it go well as supporters did treat in hooliganism towards each other. Hence, both supporters would need to visit stadiums in sake of enjoying game and not raise tension and start fights regardless how game would carry on if both supporters and clubs dont want for ban to be coming back in short period of time.

This away fans bans at derby games has been long-term discussion in Turkey for years and without doubt it is important role for both clubs and supporters to watch game in calm manner for whole evening.

TFF has announced that sponsorship of NG Keramik Seramik would appear at referee shirts.

TFF has announced that it has made sponsorship deal with NG Keramik Seramik and it would appear as advertisement at referee football shirts during game and this would be first time ever.

It needs to be mentioned that even through TFF CEO Mehmet Buyukeksi has an important aims for Turkish football development including positive ones, but his administration as he has been stated for several times is mainly focussed into  making money hence Super Cup discussion. This decision to include advertisements at referee shirts without doubt could be seen related to this. This would be first time such an agreement to be made and would be expected for sponsorship advert to be appear at not very visible spot and not at the front.

As been noted, this has been first for this season but as been noted it is important into size and location of sponsorship as it shouldnt too visible.

Mert Gunok has resumed training sessions.

Besiktas player Mert Gunok has resumed training sessions after recovering from injury and is expected to be playing against Galatasaray during derby game on 21st October at very crucial game for club.

With Besiktas more or less coming to game which could decide if team would be staying at the race for top spot, this development without doubt would be seen as an important as he does provide better performance on goal as Ersin Destanoglu and hence would provide an important calmness at the goal for Burak Yilmaz whose future at the team as staying caretaker coach could be key role. Still, Burak Yilmaz need to check performance and physical condition of Gunok on this training sessions to decide if he is ready to start game or not.

It is hence unclear if Mert Gunok would be ready physically for derby but him resuming training session would be seen for sure as positive development.

In other news:

- TFF has announced that all Super League 9th week game will start with moment of silence and player would play with black bant. Turkey has announced 3-day of mourning following hospital attack in Gaza which killed 471 people.

- Konyaspor has announced that all profits gathered during Super League 9th week game against Pendikspor would go to construction of new hospital in Gaza, Palestine.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer AEK Athens player Damian Szymanski.

- Milan are interested to loan Real Madrid player Arda Guler

What happened in Turkish football today? 17/10/2023

 

Vincenzo Montella knows how to motivate Turkish players.

Taking account that Turkish National Team has managed to get win against Croatia at Osijek during Euro 2024 Qualifiers which did play most important role for Turkey to be qualified to the tournament, it could be stated confidently that tournament went better than expected.

And this has been achieved with its new head coach Vincenzo Montella with only 4 training sessions as he most importantly has managed to bring back confidence and optimism of the players which has been noted by players during interviews and also in how players looked on the field. It is pretty difficult to manage Turkish players and for long time it has been seen that Fatih Terim and Senol Gunes has been only few coaches who can motivate rightly. To this without doubt has been added Montella and most significant thing that he is being foreign coach. Without doubt working with Adana Demirspor on previous season and hence being adapted to this league and also knowing how to motivate Turkish players. 

This could be an early period to provide such strong arguments regarding of Vincenzo Montella but he has all reasons to get some positive outcomes in the team for upcoming years.

Pendikspor has appointed Ivo Ricardo Abreu Viera.

Pendikspor has appointed Ivo Ricardo Abreu Viera as club's head coach which has been surprising development as his name wasnt going among Turkish sports media and it has been unexpected for club to appoint foreign head coach.

With mainly Turkish names going through in the media, it does look like Pendikspor has going through negotiations with Viera at the secretive and through out manner and has made good deal taking account of financial limitations which Pendikspor does have. Stating that it needs to be mentioned that there is risky decision as Viera didnt work at this league and as players, coaches tend to have time to get adapted to Turkish Super League but still Viera is being name who does have good potentiality to get some good results in this team as club aims to stay in the league at the end of the season with his experience.

This has been unexpected and risky appointment for Pendikspor but it does have potential to turn around as good choice for club in the end of the day.

Bakasetas has become injured during national duty

Trabzonspor has announced that its player Antonios Bakasetas has become injured during Euro 2024 qualifier against Netherlands and club has started recovery process due of his injury.

As it is known, Bakasetas is being one of the key players in this team for long time and has been pushing team at forward areas during past 2 seasons and hence such development would not be seen as good update for coach Abdullah Avci as he did play an important role tactically during his reign in his club.Hence, Avci would now would be looking for alternative players in this area for his opening game after being returning as he would be seeing to get positive result for sure.

This has been unwanted development for Avci but as been noted he does have players in team with who he could still get outcome on upcoming games.

In other news:

- Sivasspor head coach Servet Cetin has announced that its player Abdulkerim Parmak h-  Galatasaray player Cedric Bakambu considers to leave side during mid-season transfer window 

- InterMilan are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Mauro Icardi.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Benfica player Florintino Luis and Braga player Al Musrati.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Kayserispor player Baran Gezek.

What happened in Turkish football today? 16/10/2023

 Latvia again provided some issues to Turkey but in the end of the day it got Euro2024 in confident manner.

Turkish National Team has got a crucial win against Latvia with 4:0 scoreline and with such result has got ticket to the Euro 2024 which would be taking place and now would be focussing into ending campaign at top spot as it would meet with Wales next game.

It needs to be stated that Turkey, thanks to the games between 3 national teams, did only come out to the game against Latvia with a focus to win game regardless how Croatia and Wales game would be ending but it was certainly clear as Latvia tends to be most problematic team and despite of scoreline of 4:0, it needs to be stated that until game became 2:0 on 83rd minute, it has been pretty tough game for Turkey especially after 1:0 and until Cenk Tosun scored 2nd goal. Still, Turkey did show strong concentration and organisational game which has been brought by Vincenzo Montella as players show strong togetherness and fighting spirit at the game and it does look team has shown teamwork at the team.

As been noted, we are seeing wrong to not count Stefan Kuntz as mathematically it wouldnt be possible for Turkey to get to Euro without results he got but in same it does look questionable if team did get those 6 points if Kuntz stayed.

Istanbulspor has appointed Hakan Yakin as club's head coach.

Istanbulspor has appointed Hakan Yakin as club's head coach for 2-years as he would be coming with lots of experience on his previous periods and hence would be accepted to help team to stay at the league at least.

Hakan Yakin did get some performance and results both in Switzealand and Russia of his training experience and hence he would be coming to team with strong enough CV for team like and is more capable to turn around team to get some points and get side out of relegation zone as it seems for sure right for him to sort out an attacking issue as team doesnt convert much and would need to find solution of this with limited amount of good attackers to all respect. Still, as been noted Hakan Yakin is being coach which could achieve that.

With good CV as been noted Hakan Yakin has all potentiality to improve performance and get result which it seeks for with Istanbulspor.

Abdullah Avci will recieve salary of 40 million TL

Trabzonspor has announced that its head coach Abdullah Avci would be recieving salary of 40 million TL as it has appointed coach few days ago in place of Nenad Bjelica.

With Abdullah Avci did look to be best candidate both with experience and availability,it is reported that not much discussion has been made regarding of salaries but still Trabzonspor did make his salary as 40 million TL with announcement that it would raise at most 50% for next season due of exchange rate and financial situation in the country. This would likely provide some extra motivation to Avci among working in the team where he brought them historical title.

Abdullah Avci meanwhile has reasons to turn around performance of the team in this period but chances for title are being low despite of early days of the season.

In other news:

- TFF has appointed Taner Senseven as general secretary.

- Trabzonspor player Nicolas Pepe has resumed training sessions after recovering from injury.

- TottenhamHotspur and West Ham United are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Kerem Akturkgolu.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Wolverhampton Wanderers player Mario Lemina.

What happened in Turkish football today? 15/10/2023

 Turkish National Team has got its ticket to Euro 2024 with win against Latvia.

Turkish National Team has got its ticket to the Euro 2024 with 2 weeks to be played in this qualifying round, as it has managed to win game with confident scoreline of 4:0 but it does need to be mentioned that it wasnt an easy win entirely.

Turkey did come to this 2 game period in October, to get results which would make sure that they would be participating at Euro 2024 in Germany but it has been difficult journey in all fairness both during whole group campaign and also in this game specifically as Latvia did provide lots of pressure towards Turkey goal but goals which did come after 83rd minutes as Latvia did lose concentration which made things much easier for Turkey. When coming to the game, Turkey it needs to be stated did have controllable game to the game in the 1st half and has created some chances but did lack tempo of the game. Still, it has raised tempo during 1st half as it provided much more pressure and has scored a goal from Yunus Akgun. Only negative aspect from Turkey has been that after 1st goal, it did give ball and possession to Latvia which did create number of good chances and has got into posts. Hence, it needs to be stated that 2nd goal which been scored from Cenk Tosun did come in perfect time as it stopped effective game from Latvia and also broke their motivation which led for 3 more goals from Turkey.

Latvia on their part did remind all Turkish players and supporters, despite of the scoreline, that it is being pretty problematic side to them and has provided lots of problematic issues until scoreline has been 2:0 and did in fact show some good game with good fighting spirit.

Turkey hence got into Euro 2024 with a style by beating Croatia in away game and also getting confident scoreline against Latvia tonight and hence would be waiting for tournament at high confidence and motivation. 

Alexandru Djiku has resumed training sessions.

Fenerbahce player Alexandru Djiku has been recovered from injured which would be without doubt a positive news for head coach Ismail Kartal as he got back one of the key players at defence for the team.

One of main reasons for Fenerbahce winning run during this season has been without doubt strong performance of defensive players as team has only conceded 3 goals at the Super League after 8 weeks and Alexandru Djiku confident performance has been one of the main reason for this outcome and hence news that he has started training with main squad with 1 week to go before league resumes would been a positive development without doubt. 

Therefore, this development would provide an important strength to arleady strong defence as team has no intention to lose points when league would resume after this national team break.

Besiktas are interested to appoint Igor Tudor as club's head coach.

There is on-going rumours that Besiktas current administration if it manages to win upcoming CEO election are showing strong interest with appointing Igor Tudor as club's head coach.

It needs to be reminded that Igor Tudor has been working with Galatasaray on previous years where he didnt necessarily get very good results and has been send away but after that he has worked with Roma and Olympique Marseille where he did show some good performance and did show lots of improvement as coach so he would be coming to Besiktas if appointment would happen in much more experienced manner and does have some experience at Super League as he did also coach Karabukspor on previous years.

This are only being rumours for now and it is being pretty unclear but we would follow all developments in this matter for sure.

Results:

Euro 2024 Qualifers, Group D, 8th week:

Turkey 4:0 Latvia

Wales 2:1 Croatia

In other news:

- Turkish referee has been appointed to Euro 2024 qualifiers:

16/10: Iceland-Liechenstein: Abdulkadir Bitegen

16/10: Bosnia and Herzegovina-Portugal: Halil Umut Meler

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Youri Tielemans

- Trabzonspor are interested to sign Lyngby player Tochi Chukwuani

- CrystalPalace are interested to sign Fenerbahce player Bright Osayi Samuel.