What happened in Turkish football today? 23/12/2018

Galatasaray has shown high level performance as it came out with almost perfect squad.

Galatasaray has shown very effective performance during Super League 17th week game against Sivaspor as it has ended game with 4:2 scoreline, mainly to the factor that it was playing with perfect 11 after long time as injuries and punishments has been completed.

Galatasaray as been mentioned has provided strong and organised performance and showing some signs which was visible during last season and start of the season and does provide some optimism for 2nd half of the season as it has reduced point difference from Galatasaray to 6 points. One of the key players of the Galatasaray during game has been Younes Belhanda, Sofiane Feghouli and Henri Onyekuru who among finding goals each have also provided strong game keep looking for chances. Still, some mistakes at the defence which mainly has brought 2 goals from Robinho during 1st half does still provide some worrying images due of simplicity of the mistakes and led Robinho to show his class. This aspect did show that Galatasaray would need to make transfers at defence but forward seeking performance of team during today's game has led them to find 4 goals in total.

Sivasspor who has been showing great results and performance in recent weeks has been not at best form as it had some mistakes at the defence and has led Galatasaray to have easier game even through their did start game in very positive manner.

Galatasaray who didnt have great season so far did manage to play its last game during 1st half of the season with high level performance and among finding itself once again as strong league title candidate, would also find themselves entering to break at good mood.

Trabzonspor has ended 1st half of the season at very high note.

Trabzonspor carries on showing high level performance at the Super League as it has ended 1st half of the season with comfortable 4:1 win against last-placed Rizespor and has provided for most amount of the game with attacking performance.

Trabzonspor as been stated at our preview is among teams which are at great form right now and have shown that as the game has been progressing especially with Abdulkadir Omur becoming star player as he has found 2 goals. It needs to be admitted that Rizespor during this Black Sea derby game has shown some good chances especially from starting game and hence to some extend this scoreline should not make it look that it was easy task for Trabzonspor. But taking account that Trabzonspor without doubt has turned into good attacking side, it has created high amount of the chances as the game has been progressing with getting strong support from its supporters. Trabzonspor without doubt would be aiming to carry on providing similar performance during 2nd half of the season as it is currently 6 points behind leaders Basaksehirspor and with taking account that it would start 2nd half against them it would be aiming to carry on its performance during mid-season transfer window with making strong transfers during also for sure.

Rizespor, who is located at last place, has provided pretty brave game with creating chances but without doubt conceding goals from Trabzonspor has affected to the morale of the side and hence has affected outcome of the game.

As been noted, it needs to be stated that Trabzonspor has provided which it aims at and would hope to carry on this momentum after mid-season break and even improve in many aspects during that time.

Besiktas game against Kasimpasa has defined teams situation for this season. 

Besiktas has provided very dissapointing result and overall 1st half performance as it has lost to
Kasimpasa with 4:1 scoreline and to some extend does provide good image of Besiktas performance during this season.

It needs to be noted that it was observed once again that Besiktas has been very far from its high tempo and organised game which it has shown during recent seasons at the Super League and does need to make lots of works during mid-season break both technically and also administrative taking account economical issues and salaries towards players. It needs to be noted still that Trabzonspor did start a great game with finding goal which was disallowed due of VAR but after that it was obvious that Kasimpasa, currently located at 2nd place does find itself at playing much more organised football knowing better what to do and creating high amount of the chances with Diagne finding other 2 goals, making total tally towards 20 goals, highest at Super League history during 1st half of the season. Besiktas without doubt needs to figure lots of internal issues at the team and this mid-season break would be very effective and stressful for the team in all areas, as many areas needs to improve for 2nd half.

Besiktas certainly has lost its passion and it needs to find it back during mid-season both with existing players and new transfers which it would be able to make.

Results:
Turkish Super League, 17th week:
Erzurumspor 1:1 Kayserispor
Trabzonspor 4:1 Rizespor
Bursaspor 1:1 Yeni Malatyaspor
Galatasaray 4:2 Sivasspor

Schedule:
Turkish Super League, 17th week:
20:00 Antalyaspor - Fenerbahce
20:00 Akhisarspor - Konyaspor

In other news:

- Trabzonspor player Oganyi Onazi would have an operation after getting injured during Super League 17th week game against Rizespor.

- Besiktas mid-season training camp would start on 3rd January and will take place until 14-15th January in Antalya.

- Basaksehirspor would start mid-season training camp on 2nd January

- Fenerbahce are expected to start with Roberto Soldado during Super League 17th week game against Antalyaspor.

- Besiktas has made 4-year deal with Feyenoord player Orkun Kokcu. Contract would go into effect during summer transfer window.


- Fenerbahce head coach Ersun Yanal contract would automatically be extended for 1 year if team gets league title next season.
- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Besiktas player Caner Erkin

- Al Hilal player Bafetembi Gomis had one-on-one transfer negotiations with Fenerbahce sports director Damien Comolli.

- Fenerbahce has made principal agreement with Besiktas player Tolgay Arslan.

- Besiktas player Vagner Love aims to leave team during mid-season transfer window with getting paid all of his salaries from club.

What happened in Turkish football today? 22/12/2018

Kasimpasa has rightfully beat Besiktas with 4:1 scoreline.

Kasimpasa has got well-deserved win during Super League 17th week game against Besiktas with providing very attacking game and not allowing their opponents to get any upper hand as the game has been progressing.

Besiktas would be entering to mid-season break with losing to one of its direct opponents at the standings Kasimpasa with pretty humiliating scoreline of 4:1. Even through during last week game against Trabzonspor, Besiktas did provide some view of improving with its performance it has once again showed that team does have some issues in gamewise during game with Kasimpasa. It needs to be admitted however that this scoreline, for followers of the Super League, would be seen as unexpected but would not see as huge surprise with results which this season shows us. Even through Besiktas did have goal right in the start of the game, it was disallowed to hand ball and rather than providing high level performance, game has turned into Kasimpasa who has found 2 goals at 1st half which did provide loss of concentation. This break without doubt would be very crucial for Besiktas as their are many aspects which needs to be solved including transfers, recovery of players and also sorting out some issues with unhappy players as Besiktas has recieved unexpected performance.

It needs to be stated however that Kasimpasa did show some great performance up to this game and it wasnt big surprise that team was playing very attacking game and was in better form when coming to the game and their have shown that with performance. Kasimpasa right now has raised to 2nd place and has reduced point difference with Basaksehirspor to 6 points who has lost game today.

Right now as been noted, Besiktas would be focussing into solving many issues during mid-season period as it urgently needs to find reasons why its far from recent performance.

Galatasaray obviously would aim for a win but it wont be easy one for sure.

Galatasaray would be aiming to enter to the mid-season break with a win against Sivasspor as it had pretty mixed performance during 1st half of the season and had some trouble with games where it has won game, and without doubt game against Sivasspor would be similar.

Without being able to buy an attacker during summer transfer window, Galatasaray has been aimed to get least amount of the losses and still have chance for title after 1st half. With Basaksehirspor losing 2 points today, Galatasaray would aim to use this opportunity to get to the leadership closer and also of the top of the league with providing full fight for  a win. However, it needs to be admitted that Sivasspor is providing very good performance with head coach Hakan Keles and the team would be coming out with high motivation and confidence and belief that it can get a win against Istanbul side. What is more interesting that chances for Sivasspor are even seen less than Galatasaray, it still are very high and would not be seen as huge surprise. Therefore, Sivasspor would provide difficult time for Galatasaray and Istanbul side therefore would need to be careful during this game and get strong support from its fans at home game during this game.

Galatasaray would be aiming to get a win against Sivasspor and enter to mid-season but so would be opponents without doubt so it wont be easy game at all for them.

Trabzonspor does come out as strong favourites against Rizespor but their opponents does have extra motivation for the game. 

Trabzonspor would be ending 1st half of the season with Black Sea derby against last-placed
Rizespor as side would be aiming to provide its high-level performance which their are showing right now and keep its motivation and confidence up-high.

Without doubt one of the in-form sides at the league during last weeks has been Trabzonspor as it playing games with high tempo and creating good chances and also finding very important goals from players such as Hugo Rodallega. Even to some extend Trabzonspor has improved its performance with Burak Yilmaz and Onur Kivrak has been taken out of the squad. Trabzonspor would be coming out as strong favourites but its need to be remembered that Rizespor even being at last place at the table has provided an additional motivation and performance during strong sides and would certainly be aiming to do similar performance at the game against Trabzonspor. Also remembering that due of old some misunderstanding at the area and also being to some extend derby game, could provide extra motivation so Trabzonspor needs to take this game pretty concentrated as their all of their games for certain. It is promised to be an exciting game even if both sides seems to be at different ends.

As been stated, Trabzonspor would be aiming to show similar performance as their did in recent results so even through it would be hard game for sure, their are coming out as strong favourites for game.

Results:
Turkish Super League, 17th week
Ankaragucu 0:3 Goztepe
Alanyaspor 1:1 Basaksehirspor
Kasimpasa 4:1 Besiktas

Schedule:
Turkish Super League, 17th week:
13:30 Erzurumspor - Kayserispor
16:00 Trabzonspor - Rizespor
16:00 Bursaspor - Yeni Malatyaspor
19:00 Galatasaray - Sivasspor

In other news:

- Trabzonspor would have mid-season training camp between 2nd-12th January in Antalya.

- Besiktas player Dorukhan Tokoz has become injured during Super League 17th week game against Kasimpasa.

- Napoli are close to make transfer deal with Trabzonspor player Burak Yilmaz.

- Fenerbahce are considering to extend contract of its player Martin Skrtel for 1 year.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Bafetembi Gomis.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Gornik Zabrze player Szymon Zurkowski

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Besiktas player Tolga Zengin.

- Basaksehirspor are interested to transfer Arsenal player Mesut Ozil.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Pachuca player Victor Guzman.

- Fulham are interested to transfer Besiktas player Domadoj Vida.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Feyenoord player Yassin Ayoub

- Unnamed Qatar club has offered 20 million euro for Kasimpasa player Mbaye Diagne and are close to make deal.

What happened in Turkish football today? 21/12/2018

Fenerbahce has gained motivation from Giresunspor game.

Fenerbahce has got an 5:2 scoreline win against Giresunspor which would provide strong motivation and confidence for upcoming games, foremost at Super League 17th week game against Antalyaspor, for players and coach Ersun Yanal. But this result should not trick players and supporters as many things need to be improved at the side.

Fenerbahce needed to get a confident win during Turkish Cup 5th round 2nd leg game and their have managed that with also Roberto Soldado and namely Mehmet Ekici, who would play an important role at forward of the field, has managed to score goals, with Ekici finding 2 goals, and hence has got very strong confidence which was lacking during this season and would help him for upcoming games. It needs to be noted that even through Giresunspor have showed good performance during game with finding two goals also, its need to be stated that head coach of team Huseyin Kalpar following game has stated that this game against Fenerbahce wasnt their main priority with this taking also account this result should not be treated that things at side are going well for Istanbul side. Still, this result would provide lots of psychological assist as it would help lose pressure for not getting positive results in recent games.

Now Fenerbahce would look forward for last game of 2018 against Antalyaspor so it could enter to mid-season break with a better mood both at team and fans.

Besiktas aims to end 2018 with win against Kasimpasa but it would be tough.

Besiktas would be playing its last game of the calendar year of 2018 against Kasimpasa during Super League 17th week, as both sides could be aiming for league title after mid-season break.

Besiktas which still doesnt show on-going high level performance and does have serious internal issues with their players would be aiming without doubt to end 1st half of the season with good result. It needs to be stated that number of younger players, especially Guven Yalcin and Dorukhan Tokoz, are lately showing very promising performance and without would be expecting to be coming out to game and would be among mainly focussed players. Besiktas right now is finding 8 points behind league leaders Basaksehirspor and hence cant afford to lose game and with being this aware it would be coming to the field with this at their mind. However, it needs to be noted that it wont be easy for Besiktas as Kasimpasa also providing good performance in recent weeks and with extending contract with all players until 2021 has provided strong motivation prior to game.

Even through at paper, Besiktas looks to be favourite it is expected to be exciting game with both sides doing their best so their can enter to mid-season break at good position and still be inside title race.

Kasimpasa has put its player Trezeguet out of squad for talking to other teams regarding transfer but later brought him back after apology

Staying with Kasimpasa, club has announced today that it has taken out of squad its player Trezeguet who is currently having transfer negotiations with some clubs even through he is not allowed to do so. However, it brought him back to the squad after player has apologized for his actions.

According to rules, player can start transfer negotiations with any clubs prior to 6 months when his contract is expired but it does look like Trezeguet has started some time before and this has provided understandably unhappy reaction from Kasimpasa. It is known that among clubs are being Saudi Arabic team, some European sides and also Istanbul sides including Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. It would be expected that Kasimpasa which does have some high aims for this season, would be aiming to keep him at the squad as it aims to compete at Europe next season. It does need to be noted htat club is right at this issue as this behaviour is unexpectable and most importantly is disrespectful to his club who has trust towards him. This mid-season transfer window does look to be also focussed into Trezeguet future at team and any alternatives he could however for now. However, his apology it does look like for now he would be staying at team until transfer window at least opens in January.

Trezeguet does provide some good performance for Kasimpasa with providing role for many points, but his current behaviour is at least being disrespectful for his side right now.

Schedule:
Turkish Super League, 17th week:
13:30 Ankaragucu - Goztepe
16:00 Alanyaspor - Basaksehirspor
19:00 Kasimpasa - Besiktas

In other news:

- Ankaragucu and Fenerbahce has been referred to PFDK for behaviour of fans.

- - Konyaspor has extended contract with its player Omer Ali Sahiner for 3 years.

- Galatasaray players Sinan Gumus and Garry Rodrigues has resumed training session after recovering from injury.

- Fenerbahce considers to forgive its player Volkan Demirel and bring back to squad.

- Fenerbahce administrator Onur Basar has been appointed as administrative manager Volkan Balli assistant.

- Fenerbahce considers to end loan contract with Yassine Benzia.

- Erzurumspor has made transfer deal with Brondby player Kamil Wilczek.

- Kasimpasa player Trezeguet has apologised to have transfer negotiations with other clubs and has been forgiven by club.

- Roma player Cengiz Under has been selected among best 11 young players at Champions League group stage by UEFA.

- Lazio are interested to transfer Kasimpasa player Trezeguet.

- Kasimpasa has declined rumours that Trezeguet has been having negotiations with Fenerbahce.

- Alanyaspor are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Ozan Tufan.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Alanyaspor player Efecan Karaca.

- Galatasaray considers to sell its player Garry Rodrigues during mid-season transfer window.

- Besiktas has made transfer deal with Trabzonspor player Burak Yilmaz.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Manchester City players Phillipe Sandler, Claudio Gomes and Felix Nmecha.

What happened in Turkish football today? 20/12/2018

Fenerbahce has got good scoreline against Giresunspor but its not performance which Ersun Yanal aims for.

Fenerbahce head coach Ersun Yanal has won his 1st game since joining team with beating Girsunspor with 5:2 scoreline at Turkish Cup 5th round 2nd leg game  and providing good game and has shown strong performance with providing game with main squad players.

This blog did state during yesterday's preview of the game that Ersun Yanal would be coming with main squad during this game to get players used to his system of performance and also to become more familiar with the sides capabilities with this performance. It does need to be stated that despite of scoreline it needs to be admitted that still Fenerbahce didnt provide great performance especially at defence as it still has conceded 2 goals, which included from penalty. Still Fenerbahce attackers Roberto Soldado and Mehmet Ekici has shown very active game and has been playing forward seeking game. But it needs to be remembered that to all respect towards Giresunspor, who also shows poor performance at 1st league also, this confident scoreline doesnt show that things are getting into rails and still Fenerbahce head coach Ersun Yanal needs to do many job to move his team forward. However, without doubt this win would provide an important confidence and motivation for last game against Antalyaspor and without doubt Antalyaspor would be very unhappy with Fenerbahce winning like that prior to last game for two sides for 2018.

Giresunspor meanwhile, taking account its not showing best performance at own league, tried to show best game it can show and it has managed to do that with creating many chances and has aimed for positive game. Giresunspor did lose with big goal difference against Fenerbahce but it did end game with heads up.

Fenerbahce did get an important win in sense of motivation and confidence as been stated but its still needs to do many works to raise up at Super League, in upcoming games at Turkish Cup and Europa League. Fact that Ersun Yanal has difficult job during mid-season break stays regardless of this scoreline.

Trabzonspor has won Sivas Belediyespor with comfortable performance.

Trabzonspor has shown much more attacking and effective game during Turkish Cup 5th round 2nd leg game against Sivas Belediyespor compare to 1st leg, as it has managed to win with 5:0 scoreline.

Even through the team is currently through pretty difficult period both financially and also with number of the players, it was important for a team to show high level performance and their have just managed that against Sivas Belediyespor. It was stated, quite reasonably at our blog, that 1st leg result of the 2:2 is not really securing result and would provide some optimism towards Sivas Belediyespor. But Trabzonspor has done what needs to be done, which was to find 2 early goals and get control of the game thanks to some experienced but mainly with younger players. Trabzonspor was one which was controlling tempo of the game and hence has got a well-deserved win and managed to keep their aim for ending league at high spot and even get title even possible with keeping its motivation and confidence up and high as it would be playing against Rizespor this weekend prior to going to mid-season break.

Trabzonspor carries on showing great performance in recent weeks and even provides better performance than league leaders Basaksehirspor and with this performance it can have happy ending at both competitions next year.

Basaksehirspor CEO Goksel Gumusdag has ended his membership with Galatasaray. 

Basaksehirspor CEO Goksel Gumusdag, who was until today also member of the Galatasaray club, has announced today that he has cancelled his membership with latter one as he needs to focus more attention to Basaksehirspor.

Their was long-term discussion both at Galatasaray and general sports media if CEO of opponent team should be at that team member as it would be conflicting with interests and with Basaksehirspor being also direct opponent towards Galatasaray at title race this conflict arises even more and could provide damages at both sides of the story. Right now, Goksel Gumusdag could be more focussed into bringing successes to the team as the team is currently going towards winning its 1st league title despite of getting close in recent years and would need to focus into transfers during mid-season transfer window. Those aspects and also upcoming games as been noted could raise conflict of interests. It also important to note that Galatasaray itself was considering to end his membership so quite possibly he also has prevented this action with providing resignation himself.

We believe at blog that this decision is right one as it could raise and possible arleady raised before hand lots of conflict of interest between two clubs.

Results:
Turkish Cup, 5th round, 2nd leg:
Hatayspor 2:0 Genclerbirligi (agg: 3:2)
Darica Genclerbirligi 0:1 Antalyaspor (agg: 2:3)
Akhisarspor 2:0 Karagumruk (agg: 6:1)
Giresunspor 2:5 Fenerbahce (agg: 2:6)

In other news:

- PFDK decisions:
- Basaksehirspor has recieved blockage of stands for behaviour of fans.
- Galatasaray has recieved 20,000 TL fine for behaviour of fans
- Galatasaray has recieved 60,000 TL fine for players and coach not attending post-game interview
- Yeni Malatyaspor has recieved 15,000 TL fine for behaviour of fans
- Yeni Malatyaspor player Sadik Ciftpinar and Antalyaspor player Diego Angelo has recieved 2-game ban and 8,500 TL fine for harsh foul to opponent.
- Ankaragucu has recieved 20,000 TL for players not attending post-game interview.
- Besiktas has recieved 50,000 TL fine and blockage of stands for behaviour of fans
- Trabzonspor has recieved 75,000 TL fine and blockage of standsfor behaviour of fans
- Kasimpasa has recieved 9,000 TL for teamwise anti-sportmanship behaviour
- Bursaspor has recieved 20,000 TL fine for behaviour of fans

- Turkish National Team has stayed at 39th position at FIFA World Ranking for December.

-  Antalyaspor has terminated contracts with its players Olcan Adin and Danilo.

- Galatasaray has made transfer deal with Guangzhou Evergrande player Alan Calvalho for around 3.5 million euro salary per year.

- Turkish referee Huseyin Gocek would referee international friendly game between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan on 25th December.

-Rizespor head coach Okan Buruk has stated that club aims to make 5-6 transfers during mid-season transfer window.

- Besiktas player Ryan Babel: My contract is ending at new year with club and I dont know what would happen in future.

- Trabzonspor administrator Haluk Sahin has stated that club didnt recieve transfer offers for Burak Yilmaz and Onur Kivrak

- Bursaspor head coach Samet Aybaba declined rumours that club are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Olcay Sahin.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Juventus player Benatia.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Changchun Yatai player Odon Ighalo.

- Villarreal are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Roberto Soldado.

- Schalke04 are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Eren Derdiyok.

- Galatasaray considers to extend contract with its players Yunus Akgun and Atalay Akgun.

- BorussiaDortmund player are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Eljif Elmas.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Chelsea player Fabregas, Borussia Dortmund player Mario Gotze and Valencia player Michel Batshuyi

What happened in Turkish football today? 19/12/2018

Trabzonspor carries on showing dominant game with Sivas Belediyespor being newest victim for them.

Trabzonspor has managed to show much more attacking game during Turkish Cup 5th round 2nd leg game against Sivas Belediyespor with winning game with 5:0 scoreline and dominating whole game during 90 minutes.

During 1st leg game of the tie, Trabzonspor has shown much more passive game with ending game with 2:2 scoreline with some of the reserved and younger players playing during game. With Trabzonspor playing this game at home ground and also coming out with bit more experienced side has shown much more dominant game with Caleb Ekuban finding 2 goals during game and hence has shown dominating game and played most important for this attacking game. Meanwhile, it also important to note that Trabzonspor has shown pretty positive and attacking during game against Sivas Belediyespor as it did during in recent games during last month of the game including as it did with Besiktas even through it has ended with 2:2 scoreline. It is clear that Trabzonspor has got an important good game in its hand and if it manages to carry on like that it would be able to get good results both at Super League and Turkish Cup. What is most important that playears are highly focussed for success of the team with great coach Unal Karaman who shows best management at the club in recent years.

Sivas Belediyespor compare to 1st leg didnt manage to show any reaction to attacking Trabzonspor game, especially when taking account that it was arleady losing with 2:0 scoreline on 17th minute. Still, with being 2-ties below of Super League its still managed to show good performance in overall at this season Turkish Cup.

With this performance, Trabzonspor would be certainly aiming to show similar performance during this weekned game against Rizespor and certainly carry on this fighting for great successes during 2nd half of the season.

Galatasaray youth players showed some bright future against Keciorengucu.

Galatasaray has drawn Turkish Cup 5th round 2nd leg game against Keciorengucu at its home ground with 1:1 scoreline and thanks to the 1st leg 2:1 result has got ticket for last 16 stage, thanks mainly to younger players who doesnt recieve much playing time at Super League.

Galatasaray has been used those 2 games at the Turkish Cup to check abilities and capabilities of its younger players, and even through when coming to aggregate scoreline it could be seen that younger players didnt show top performance, winning team which is located 2-ties below them at league system, the players did show great effort during their games and have been seen in positive manner as game has been progressed. Those players still needs to be given lots of work inside the team to make them much stronger and competitive game but their are showing right focus to their task. It was also important to find goal from Yunus Akgun who is capable at showing high level performance as he does recieve some more playing time compare to other youngsters and does have strong potentiality as he showed yesterday in upcoming games. Galatasaray does have bright future with its younger players but their need to develop and Turkish Cup is good opportunity for them to show their skills at the future.

Galatasaray did get to next stage and would be now awaiting its next opponets for last 16 stage as one of their priorities could be set as Turkish Cup, even through it would depend how their perform at Europa League.

Ersun Yanal would hope better performance with Turkish Cup against Giresunspor.

With Fenerbahce appointing its new head coach Ersun Yanal following big pressure from their own supporters, it needs to be stated that team didnt perform show great performance at his 1st game against Erzurumspor. But he would have good opportunity to improve his performance during Giresunspor during Turkish Cup 5th round 2nd leg game.

After winning 1st leg game at home ground with minumum result of 1:0, Fenerbahce recent performance doesnt provide confidence that it would get to the last 16 for sure even through it is coming out to the game as favourite. However, it is certain that with this days between tomorrow and Erzurumspor game, Ersun Yanal has prepared his team even more actively and would be certain that it would show better performance. Their is chance that Yanal would provide some players from main squad as he would like to see their performance as he just arrived to team and also get them used for new system but their would be also played some younger and reserved players. With Giresunspor being aware of difficult situation of their opponent would like to turn into their own advantage but it wont be an easy task for them.

Fenerbahce with poor performance at Super League, does look to put among priorties Turkish Cup even through in similar manner as with Galatasaray, Europa League would play an important role at how much focus would be given to it.

Results:
Turkish Cup, 5th round, 2nd leg:
Van Buyuksehir Belediyespor 2:2 Boluspor (agg: 3:7)
Etismesgut Belediyespor 0:2 Yeni Malatyaspor (agg: 0:4)
Kahramanmarasspor 2:1 Alanyaspor (agg: 4:8)
Kasimpasa 4:1 Menemen Belediyespor (agg: 6:2)
Kayserispor 4:1 Altay (agg: 6:2)
Trabzonspor 5:0 Sivas Belediyespor (agg: 7:2)

Schedule:
Turkish Cup, 5th round, 2nd leg:
13:00 Hatayspor - Genclerbirligi (agg: 1:2)
13:45 Darica Genclerbirligi - Antalyaspor (agg: 2:2)
18:00 Akhisarspor - Karagumruk (agg: 4:1)
20:30 Giresunspor - Fenerbahce (agg: 0:1)

In other news:

- Ankaragucu has appointed Bayram Bektas as its head coach until end of the season.

- Fenerbahce has signed mutual partnership with Hasbro.

- Rizespor has terminated contract with its player Dhurgham Ismail

- Trabzonspor: After Esteban has asked for his salary, we have made a deal with his manager to pay him salary until 24th December. However, player without witing that time has terminated contract in unfair manner.

- Besiktas player Ryan Babel has resumed training session after recovering from injury.

- Trabzonspor would start its mid-season training camp on 2nd January in Antalya.

- Besiktas player Vagner Love manager Evandro Ferreira: Besiktas is going through difficult period, so Love can leave the side. If we would be without club, we would talk with Flamengo.

- Trabzonspor CEO Ahmet Agaoglu: We are looking by each game and at the end of the season we would see if this season we would win title. Our aim is to solve economical issues and move team above.

- YeniMalatyaspor has set transfer fee of its player Guiherme as 3 million euro.

- Galatasaray are close to make transfer deal with West Ham United player Andy Carroll.

- Besiktas considers to offer Trabzonspor player Oguzhan Ozyakup in return of Burak Yilmaz.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Besiktas player Ryan Babel.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Hertha Berlin player Okan Kurt.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Strasbourg player Kenny Lala

- Barcelona and Monaco are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Martin Skrtel.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Kasimpasa player Mbaye Diagne.

What happened in Turkish football today? 18/12/2018

Galatasaray has got into last 16 of Turkish Cup thanks to youngsters. 

Galatasaray has got its last 16 ticket at the Turkish Cup game against Keciorengucu as it has ended 2nd leg game at 5th round with 1:1 scoreline as team has played with mainly younger and reserves players who has shown good performance.

Despite of getting minumum leadership at the tie as it has only won 1st leg with 2:1 scoreline,
Galatasaray technical staff still has provided full trust towards its younger players who has recieved an important playing time during this game and has shown pretty positive game and getting last 16 ticket with a draw. It needs also to be noted that 1st goal has been scored from Yunus Akgun with nice shot at 65th minute and it was clear that it would get ticket from that moment as their opponents would need to score twice, a chance which was low taking account quality difference with sides even if Galatasaray playing without its main players. It could criticised for Galatasaray at conceding goal at 85th minute which did lead for opponents possibly to show an attacking game to get an extra-time but Galatasaray careful game has prevented that and led them get to the last 16.

Taking account differences at levels between both sides it needs to be stated that it was good performance against Galatasaray, as Keciorengucu has managed to lose with 1 goal difference at overall and was one goal behind to get 2nd leg into extra-time. Being 2 levels below at league system and even if opponent has played without main players, Keciorengucu has shown good positive game.

Galatasaray has qualified to last 16 with help of younger players and even through this players needs to improve and develop, their had managed to show good performance and give hope for future of this club.

Fenerbahce is in risk at entering mid-season break at relegation zone.

Even with an appointment of head coach Ersun Yanal for head coaching position and despite of Fenerbahce playing good game in beginning of game, team has shown similar performance in 2nd half and has lost 2 points to Erzurumspor and staying at relegation zone.

With high number of supporters filling the stadiums providing strong support both to new head coach Ersun Yanal and players, Fenerbahce has started game in great manner with creating high amount of the chances with especially dominating with Islam Slimani not being able to convert high amount of the chances. It has started still 2nd half with 2:0 advantage, but Erzurumspor has provided a better performance in that period and have shown great comeback with finding goal at last minute  of the game thanks to the goal by Thy. Even through Erzurumspor head coach Mustafa Ozdilek following game did state that he doesnt see Fenerbahce as their direct opponent, as currently their are having same amount of the points, it does look that for now their are and Ersun Yanal at Fenerbahce has difficult task for this team to start playing top level performance.

Fenerbahce does have serious danger of entering to mid-season break at the relegation zone as even winning against Antalyaspor would not be enough to get outside of that area right now.

Trabzonspor aims to carry on its recent performance to Turkish Cup game.

Trabzonspor following 1 point against Besiktas and also overall good performance at Super League, would also be aiming to carry on similar performance at Turkish Cup as it would be meeting with Sivas Belediyespor during 5th round 2nd leg game, after 2:2 1st leg game.

In similar manner, as in 1st leg game, it is expected that Trabzonspor would be coming out with younger players and reserves at its home ground even through it might add some main players to make this game more secure as the scoreline does provide risk towards them. Still with recent performance of the team and overall motivation and confidence gained at whole club it should be stated that Trabzonspor would be coming out as strong favourite for the game and expects to be dominated game even more compare to 1st leg game. Of course, Sivas Belediyespor would aim to use with 1st leg draw result and focus to provide big suprise result or at least provide some positive performance on the day. With Turkish Cup always open to surprises, this possibility is of course valid but it wont be easy at all for Sivas Belediyespor.

Trabzonspor would be coming as big favourite for a game and would aim to play like that even if it would start mainly with reserves players.

Results:
Turkish Cup, 5th round, 2nd leg:
1461 Trabzon 3:1 Umraniyespor (agg: 4:5)
Ankaragucu 3:2 Bodrumspor (agg: 5:6)
Balikesirspor 1:1 Rizespor (agg: 3:1)
Goztepe 2:1 Nazillispor (agg: 5:1)
Basaksehirspor 2:0 Adana Demirspor (agg: 3:1)
Galatasaray 1:1 Keciorengucu (agg: 3:2)

Schedule:
Turkish Cup, 5th round, 2nd leg:
13:00 Van Buyuksehir Belediyespor - Boluspor (agg: 1:5)
13:45 Etimesgut Belediyespor - Yeni Malatyaspor (agg: 0:2)
15:00 Kahramanmaraspor - Alanyaspor (agg: 2:7)
17:00 Kasimpasa - Menemen Belediyespor (agg: 2:1)
19:00 Kayserispor - Altay (agg: 2:1)
20:30 Trabzonspor - Sivas Belediyespor (agg: 2:2)

In other news:

PFDK referalls:
- Bursaspor, Basaksehirspor, Besiktas and Trabzonspor has been referred for behaviour of fans.
- Ankaragucu has been referred for not following guidelines
- Kasimpasa has been referred for 6 players recieving yellow cards
- Galatasaray has been referred behaviour of fans and events at field.
- Yeni Malatyaspor has been referred for events at field.
- Yeni Malatyaspor player Sadik Ciftpinar and Antalyaspor player Diego Angelo has been referred for breaking rule

- SuperLeague 17th week game between Ankaragucu and Goztepe would be played in Kayseri Kadir Has Stadium.

- Galatasaray would be playing friendly game against RB Leipzig on 12th January at 17:00.

- Trabzonspor player Jose Sosa would not be able to play for 4-6 weeks and Zargo Toure for 2-3 weeks due of injury.

- Galatasaray player Younes Belhanda has recieved 200,000 euro fine for his actions during Super League 11th week game against Fenerbahce.

- Besiktas player RyanBabel manager William Haatricht: Their isnt neither deal with Besiktas for extension contract or termination of contract in mid-season. It looks like he would stay at team until end of the season for now.

- Trabzonspor has signed professional contract with its academy player Muzaffer Cem Kaplan.

- Trabzonspor player Esteban Alvarado has left to Costa Rica earlier as he has an injury.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Liria Prizlen player Flamur Gashi.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Antalyaspor player Souleymane Doukara.

- YeniMalatyaspor head coach Erol Bulut has stated that club aims to make 3-5 transfers during mid-season transfer window.

- Rizespor, Bursaspor and Malaga are interested to transfer Akhisarspor player Yevhen Seleznyov.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Akhmat Grozny player Ablay Mbengue.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Dunajska Streda player Issouf Bayo.

- Napoli are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Burak Yilmaz

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Juraj Kucka.

What happened in Turkish football today? 17/12/2018

Fenerbahce have shown great start against Erzurumspor but after 40th minute went back to usual performance. 

Fenerbahce has shown great start of the game with its new head coach Ersun Yanal and have found 2 great goals but as game has progressed it was losing its tempo and control of the game and with conceding goal at last minute has lost 2 points against Erzurumspor.

Without argument, Fenerbahce has showed great beginning of the game which could be best start of this season with Ersun Yanal style of performance with aiming to provide fast and attacking game. It has created high amount of the chances especially which led for last touches of the Islam Slimani but he couldnt converted as he tends to be usual in latest period including around 3-4 key chances. Still, Fenerbahce has provided much more attacking game during that period of time which very good with Andre Ayew and Martin Skrtel from corner kick. However, around after 30-40 minutes its start losing its tempo and has slowly been converted into old form without providing an attacking game and making high number of the mistakes. It is clear that either Fenerbahce has become tired or head coach Ersun Yanal still didnt make team 100% understand his system with also team being used to old system and also feeling pressure. With Erzurumspor being ineffective during 1st half, has played game as it wanted.

Erzurumspor has problems into getting into game during first 30 minutes being very ineffective and even could start losing with bigger difference to the half-time, but Erzurumspor seeing poor performance had raised tempo and has shown great comeback with also finding last minute goal against side which had strong support behind them.

It is clear from today's perofrmance that Fenerbahce head coach Ersun Yanal would have very difficult job with his team and would aim to get best results against Giresunspor during Turkish Cup 5th round 2nd leg and also next week against Antalyaspor and do big difference during mid-season transfer window.

Besiktas has shown great attitute against Trabzonspor

Besiktas has shown great attitute as it has shown great comeback against Trabzonspor during 2nd half even through it was losing game with 2:0 scoreline from 47th minute but has found goal at the last minute of the game.

As game has been played at fast tempo and both teams aiming for a win, it still needs to be mentioned that Besiktas has showed two different performance during two halves. It was pretty far from great performance during 1st half, as it has allowed Trabzonspor to control game and playing forward seeking game without doubt. With some crucial changes which was made during half-time especially introducing Caner Erkin and Gokhan Gonul has allowed Besiktas to show much more dominating game with Dorukhan Tokoz showing memorable performance being active at the field creating and looking for chances for himself. It was important for Mustafa Pektemek to find another goal as he is aiming to find himself at previous form especially at times when team needs to find some positive performance due of recent results. Still mistakes which was made during 1st half does raise some questions and some internal and financial issues could lead Besiktas have an active mid-season period.

Besiktas did provide good positive game and has been satisfied from team performance compare to Malmo game and if their be able to perform like their did during 2nd half in upcoming games their can find themselves once again at title race.

Trabzonspor are having right tempo as team as it shown against Besiktas.

If Besiktas has shown great comeback against Trabzonspor with drawing when game was 2:0, then in other side of coin Trabzonspor didnt manage to win game while having 2-game deficit and controlling game.

Trabzonspor has started game in perfect manner against Besiktas getting chances and providing pressure to Besiktas which lead to make some mistakes. Without doubt this performance has led team to have 2:0 advantage at the start of the game but too much relaxation and possibly loss of concentration did help Besiktas to show comeback during game. Trabzonspor needs to identify what led for Besiktas to be able to comeback while having great advantage during game and how much Jose  Sosa leaving game due of injury has affected their performance. Trabzonspor are currently seen as title contenders without doubt but to get to happy end their need to win against their main rivals especially when winning game with 2:0 scoreline at Istanbul. Trabzonspor has got right tempo during last 3 games but as side it still needs to improve in many areas to reach to level which would lead them to fight for league title for sure.

Still, Trabzonspor did show memorable performance against Besiktas for most amount of game and does provide view in overall thats its on right track as side and can continue this level of performance next game and during 2nd half of the season.

Results:
Turkish Super League, 16th week:
Fenerbahce 2:2 Erzurumspor

Schedule:
Turkish Cup, 5th round, 2nd leg:
13:00 1461 Trabzon - Umraniyespor (agg: 1:4)
13:45 Ankaragucu - Bodrumspor (agg: 2:4)
15:00 Balikesirspor - Rizespor (agg: 2:0)
17:00 Goztepe - Nazilispor (agg: 3:0)
19:00 Basaksehirspor - Adana Demirspor(agg: 1:1)
20:30 Galatasaray - Keciorengucu (agg: 2:1)

In other news:

- UEFA has announced schedule for Europa League 2nd round games:
1st leg
12/02/2019, 20:55: Fenerbahce-Zenit
14/02/2019, 20:55: Galatasaray- Benfica
2nd leg:
21/02:
20:55 Zenit-Fenerbahce
23:00 Benfica- Galatasaray

- Turkish Cup last 16 draw would be taken place on 21st December.

- Fenerbahce has appointed Volkan Balli as club's administrative manager.

- Trabzonspor administrator Haluk Sahin: We believe that referees has played important role for us losing 2 points against Besiktas. Their were not given some fouls and cards during game. After Adriano foul, our player Vahid Amiri had 2 holes in his leg.

- Sivasspor has changed its stadium name from Yeni 4 Eylul Sivas Stadium to Bahcesehir Koleji 4 Eylul Sivas Stadium due of sponsorship deal.

- Galatasaray player Garry Rodrigues has resumed training session after recovering from injury.

- YeniMalatyaspor are aiming to transfer 4 players during mid-season transfer window.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Copenhagen player Mads Roeslav.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Onur Kivrak.