What happened in Turkish football today? 22/01/2019

Galatasaray has got an upper-hand against Boluspor at Turkish Cup. 

Galatasaray has managed to win Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg game against Boluspor with minumum scoreline of 1:0 with help of experienced Selcuk Inan goal from penalty at 41st minute with providing much more economical game compare to Ankaragucu game.

Another aspect which could lead for Galatasaray to provide much more calmer game at the front for younger players to be aiming to give them some experience. It needs to be still noted that Galatasaray has played good game with controllling ball for some amount and with Selcuk Inan coming out as captain and also scoring winning goal at 1st leg, it has gave player some confidence as he didnt play for recent weeks and has been criticised as bit as player enters close to retirement age. Meanwhile, it needs to be also stated that Ismail Cipe has shown good performance during 2nd half of the performance, as Boluspor has shown strong attacking game aiming to provide dissapointing result for Galatasaray from its home ground. Still Galatasaray has got confident scoreline from 1st leg and would be coming out to 2nd leg at home ground with having an upper hand at tie which it was coming out as favourite.

As been mentioned, Boluspor has shown lots of attacking game especially 2nd half which should be praised as it didnt show any fear towards Galatasaray and hence has played its game as it knows and could easily do same at 2nd leg game next week at Istanbul. Boluspor did show positive football still for 1st division team.

Galatasaray has got an upper hand at its tie with its younger players but it needs to be careful during 2nd leg game even through playing its own game in calm manner should be enough for quarter-final.

Fenerbahce urgently needs to solve its performance.

Fenerbahce carries on providing poor performance even through it did show some promises during 1st half of the Super League 18th week game as it has ended half with 1:0 scoreline with great goal from Soldado, but it was same story during 2nd half of the game.

Fenerbahce has once again shown that it cant provide high level performance during 90 minutes as it does have lots of factors which are quality of players and also seems to be lack of self-belief from players which is job of head coach Ersun Yanal to be solved. It does look like it could be taken long time for Fenerbahce to start providing better performance and with still being at the relegation zone as a team it needs to solve those issues as soon as possible as sides surrounding them does get point occassionally. Without doubt 2nd half, where it did manage to do anything and Bursaspor has been creating chances to Fenerbahce without stopping is not acceptable and it needs to find solutions for this as soon as possible. One of the ways to solve this issue is to make good transfers in duration of 9 days but it is more difficult than it sounds like for sure.

Fenerbahce are carrying on having difficult period and it needs to solve them both physically and mentally as soon as possible before it gets much worser condition and find itself at relegation with being point behind safe zone.

Trabzonspor need to show upper hand at game against Balikesirspor.

Following pretty competitive game it had against Basaksehirspor at the Super League, Trabzonspor would aim to build on its 1st leg 2:1 scoreline at Turkish Cup last 16 tie against Basaksehirspor and also look for motivational boost for upcoming games.

Even through it might look at first glance that Trabzonspor have advantage scoreline at the tie, it needs to be noted that Balikesirspor does have an away goal which could become a key for this tie as playing home, Balikesirspor would give their chances and might look for weaker points of their opponents with also playing highly-focussed game. Saying that, it needless to state that Trabzonspor are coming out as strong favourite and even through it is expected to play mainly with younger players at the squad, it would give their best to show good performance compare to 1st leg and also during Basaksehirspor game and get important confidence and motivation prior to crucial league game against Sivasspor. Balikesirspor as been mentioned still need to believe themselves and that their can provide shock to their opponents.

Trabzonspor are coming out to game as favourites but it would be important for them to find an early goal as soon possible to get upper control of game.

Results:
Turkish Cup, last 16, 1st leg:
Boluspor 0:1 Galatasaray (Game has been postponed due of heavy snow last week)

Turkish Cup, last 16, 2nd leg:
Akhisarspor 0:0 Kayserispor (agg:2:1)

Schedule:
Turkish Cup, last 16, 2nd leg:
14:00 Bodrumspor - Yeni Malatyaspor (agg: 2:3)
18:00 Goztepe - Antalyaspor (agg: 3:3)
20:30 Balikesirspor - Trabzonspor (agg: 1:2)

In other news:

- PFDK decisions:
- Fenerbahce player Eljif Elmas has recieved 2-game ban for breaking rules.
- Kasimpasa player Diagne Mbaye has been banned for 4 games and 13,000 TL fine for breaking rules.
- PFDK referalls:
- Akhisarspor has been referred for behaviour of fans and having an extra foreign player at the squad.
- Besiktas, Trabzonspor, Bursaspor and Fenerbahce has been referred for behaviour of fans and events at field.
- Alanyaspor has been referred for behaviour of fans.
-Trabzonspor administrator Ozer Bayraktar has been referred for his actions.
-Trabzonspor worker Gokhan Kandemir has been referred for anti-sportmanship action
-Trabzonspor administrator Ibrahim Haluk Sahin has been referred for anti-sportmanship behaviour

- TFF has announced referees for Turkish Cup 2nd leg games to be played on 23rd January:
14:00 Bodrumspor - Yeni Malatyaspor: Umut Ozturk
18:00 Goztepe- Antalyaspor: Ali Palabiyik
20:30 Balikesirspor- Trabzonspor: Huseyin Gocek.

- Basaksehirspor has loaned Shanghai Shenhua player Demba Ba for 6 months.

- Erzurumspor has opened criminal case against its sponsor Anka Jenerator for not fulfilling its tasks set at contract and also taken away sponsorship deal at its shirt.

-YeniMalatyaspor CEO Ali Gevrek has announced that club has transffered Thievy Bifoulma for 1.5 years.

- Bursaspor has signed friendship and strategic partnership deal with Neftchi Baku.

-  Goztepe player Nabil Ghilas will not play for 3 weeks due of injury.

- AfjetAfyonspor has loaned Konyaspor player Musa Araz.

- Fenerbahce has released statement criticising referee Cuneyt Cakir due of his performance during Super League game against Bursaspor.

- Sivasspor has shown its worry for Trabzonspor showing too much protest regarding of referee of their game against Basaksehirspor during Super League 18th week game and believes this provides pressure to TFF.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Hoffenheim player Adam Szalai

- Besiktas has offered Tolgay Arslan to Yeni Malatyaspor in return of Ertac Ozbil transfer.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Sampdoria player Gregoire Defrel

- Besiktas head coach Senol Gunes has thrown out its player Adriano from training session as player is focussed into transfer matters.

- Antalyaspor CEO Ali Safak Ozturk has declined rumours that club are interested to transfer Besiktas players Cyle Larin, Gokhan Tore and Vagner Love.

- Goztepe has made transfer deal with Sporting Lisbon player Lumor Agbenyenu

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Anderlecht player Ivan Santini.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Brighton player Jose Izquierdo

- Antalyaspor are interested to transfer Tarik Camdal.

- Fenerbahce has offered Diego Reyes to Galatasaray in return of its player Serdar Aziz.

What happened in Turkish football today? 21/01/2019

Fenerbahce needs to find way to show high level performance for 90 minutes.

Even through Fenerbahce has shown reasonable performnace during 1st half and have found beautiful goal with Roberto Soldado at 20th minute, it couldnt prevent back-to-back attacks from Bursaspor during 2nd half and has been lucky to end game with 1:1 scoreline.

It wouldnt not be stated that Fenerbahce has shown perfect and wanted game during its 1st half but it did show some improvement as it has provided some positive football with looking for chances with Roberto Soldado especially being eager to score goals and he has managed to do that at 20th minute with great touch. However, as was case since Ersun Yanal has been appointed as club head coach it has shown very poor 2nd half and has lost all of the control of the game allowing Bursaspor to create many chances. It also in all fairness needs to be stated that Bursaspor compare to 1st half did show poor 1st half which could have led for good image of Fenerbahce. Even through Fenerbahce as been mentioned didnt provide perfect game at 1st half it has been effective still and for now at least it should be aiming to show this level performance during whole game which could be enough to win some opponents at Super League. Fenerbahce with this point meanwhile has found out of relegation zone with goal difference but will not happy that Rizespor has won during palarrel game.

Bursaspor meanwhile as been mentioned didnt start game well but has turned its 2nd half performance with creating high number of the chances but didnt convert until last minute thanks to the Aytac Kara goal. In similar manner, Bursaspor has provide good level performance if it shows similar performance in 90 minutes which their did in 2nd half.

Fenerbahce still provides poor performance and Turkish Cup last 16 2nd leg game, which it would coming out with losing tie 1:0 against Umraniyespor, could be good opportunity for raising motivation and confidanation.

Trabzonspor defenders didnt show great performance against Basaksehirspor

Trabzonspor has lost a good opportunity to get closer to the league leaders Basaksehirspor as it has lost Super League 18th week game with 4:2 scoreline and now find themselves 9 points against league leaders with providing pretty poor performance in the defence.

It needs to be admitted that Trabzonspor, especially section of players which was closer to offensive, did come out to win game and has created high amount of the chances and didnt give up when scoreline was 2:0 and 3:1 but high motivation and organisation of the opponent has become key of this game. It also needs to be stated that Trabzonspor administration has shown high amount of strong language and protest towards referee of the game and even through referee didnt show great performance it is hard to throw 100% factor of Trabzonspor losing game to him. Compare to attackers, Trabzonspor didnt manage to stop Basaksehirspor which has been focussed into counter-attack football and having strong players in attack has converted almost all their chances. The most valuable lesson which team could get from this game has been for defenders is to stay more focussed to game.

Trabzonspor didnt lose itself from title race with such unpredictable league we having but it would be mentally better for team to not aim for league title but rather into lower position which still would bring them to Europe.

Galatasaray would seek for similar performance against Boluspor as it shown with Ankaragucu.

Postponed Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg game between Boluspor and Galatasaray will be taking place on 22nd January with much better weather conditions which has been greeted to players last week.

With Galatasaray getting very confident win against Akhisarspor with 6:0 scoreline at the league, side would be coming out with high motivation and confidence for game and in similar not Boluspor is not also great condition mentally as their had terminated contract with  its head coach today. Galatasaray would be coming out as strong favourite and with still having an attacker issue is still expected to go for a comfortable win from this 1st leg and aim to have much calmer game during 2nd leg for sure. As would be expected, Galatasaray is likely to come out with younger players or players who dont recieve much playing time who would be aiming to show high level performance on the day and showing their value to team head coach Fatih Terim.

Galatasaray hence will be coming out as strong favourites and would be aiming to show similar performance as it did with Ankaragucu but this time with an alternative squad.

Results:

Turkish Super League, 18th week:

Bursaspor 1:1 Fenerbahce

Kasimpasa 0:1 Rizespor

Schedule:

Turkish Cup, last 16, 1st leg:

19:45 Boluspor - Galatasaray (game has been postponed due of heavy snow last week)

Turkish Cup, last 16, 2nd leg:

18:00 Akhisarspor - Kayserispor (agg: 2:1)

In other news:

- TFF has announced referees for Turkish Cup last 16 games on 22nd January:

18:00 Akhisarspor - Kayserispor(2nd leg): Volkan Bayaraslan
19:45 Boluspor-Galatasaray(1st leg): Suat Arslanboga

- Ankaragucu CEO Mehmet Yiginer would resign from his post with condition that he would provide with 35 million euro to club as donation to club.

- Ankaragucu has announced that Super League 19th week game against Alanyaspor it would play at new stadium Eryaman Stadium.

- Galatasaray has loaned Sparta Prague player Semih Kaya for 6 months with paying 3,760,000 TL salary to player.

- Rizespor has transferred Porto player Chidozie Collins Awaziem

- Akhisarspor has transffered Mechelin player Edin Cocalic for 2.5 years.

- ShekndijaTetovo has transferred Olcan Adin

- Besiktas administrator Ahmet Kavalci has decliend rumours that Ricardo Quaresma wants to leave team.

- Erzurumspor has made transfer deals with Bodo Glimt player Kristian Fartal Opseth and Serkan Kurtulus.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Rayo Valencano player Luis Advincula.

- SpartaPrague player Benjamin Tetteh manager Pavel Zika: There is no transfer deal with Galatasaray but both sides are close at fee negotiations. During this week, deal could be made between sides.

- Espanyol are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Carlos Kameni

- Besiktas would keep its player Enzo Roco at least until end of the season.

- Galatasaray has made transfer deal with Guangzhou Evergrande player Alan Carvalho with 3 million euro transfer fee.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Shanghai Shenhua player Demba Ba

- Chelsea player Victor Moses has requested to include 3,250,000 euro compensation clause at Fenerbahce contract if club would be relegated and 200,000 euro bonus if club stays at league in his contract.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Kasimpasa player Trezeguet.

What happened in Turkish football today? 20/01/2019

Basaksehirspor has beat Trabzonspor with very organised football.

Basaksehirspor has kept its 6 points advantage at the table as it has provided very organised game against Trabzonspor and has won game with 4:2 scoreline and can right now focus towards achieving its aim for league title.

Trabzonspor it needs to be noted has provided pretty fast-paced at the game with trying to provide pressure to Basaksehirspor but it did have lack of converting chances at the last touches. In fact, even when Trabzonspor was losing game with 2:0 and 3:1 scoreline with providing same stuff being focussed to game and aiming to create chances and converting them. But same couldnt not be stated with defence of the players as during all of the counter-attacks of the Basaksehirspor it has allowed an opponent to create chances which has been converted into goals. It was also important for Caleb Ekuban who has scored an own goal during start of the 2nd half, has found an goal after 1 minute and has shown good reaction to his own mistakes which wasnt really big mistake looking at the position. Trabzonspor as the side still needs many areas in its performance as was observed during today's game, but mentally it is still at right track and despite of being now 9 points behind Basaksehirspor it still can keep at the race for top and stay focussed which can show good rebound in upcoming games.

Basaksehirspor on other hand has shown very organised game with whole of the field playing patient and not with high tempo but this has been turned its advantage as it used its chances at counter-attacks and have found 4 goals with those strong reaction. Basaksehirpsor did send some strong messages towards it all opponents.

Trabzonspor needs to show some strong rebound after this loss and carry on aiming to provide a possitive football and get lessons from today's game mistakes.

Galatasaray has got 6:0 win without an attacker.

Galatasaray has managed to get an important win against Ankaragucu with confident scoreline of 6:0 at the game where it has come out without central forward player thanks to passive poor performance of opponents.

It was expected that Galatasaray will not have difficult task during Ankaragucu games mainly due of the factor that sadly Ankara side is going through very difficult period and in sense of morale, economically and physically it wasnt able to provide high level performance at such competitive game. However, it wasnt expected that Galatasaray would be able to found 6 goals as it came out without forward player, but both Henri Onyekuru and Sinan Gumus high level performance with creating and converting their chances and in fact their could have scored even more goals as game has been progressed. It needs to be stated that among coming out to the game with difficult condition, an early goal from Sinan Gumus has broke wholly Galatasaray and has helped them to dominate even more. This is well-deserved win for Galatasaray but it doesnt change fact that team needs to have forward player if it wants to have great 2nd half of the season.

Still, Galatasaray has gained an important motivation for upcoming games but next league game against Goztepe will not be as easy as this one for sure.

Bursaspor are favourites to win against Fenerbahce.

Following poor performance during Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg game against Umraniyespor,
Fenerbahce did show pretty poor performance in 1st game in 2019 but it would be aiming to improve drastically for Bursaspor game.

With taking account how Fenerbahce has performed during Umraniyespor game and also in overall this season, it could be stated that Bursaspor would be coming to game as favourite with an factor which would push forward Fenerbahce is only their name. With being located at 17th place among 18th teams, and despite of having reasonable well squad, it starts turning out that quite naturally Fenerbahce opponents are not being very scared from them and this could also affect to the game which would be taking place between sides tomorrow. Still, Fenerbahce are aware that this game is another opportunity for new beginning which their been looking for and would aim to get an important win while relegated zone teams tend to lose points this week.

Sadly, Fenerbahce are not coming out as favourite and to get this stress from performance as solution is on their hands for sure.

Results:
Turkish Super League, 18th week:
Alanyaspor 2:0 Sivasspor
Trabzonspor 2:4 Basaksehirspor

Schedule:
Turkish Super League, 18th week:
20:00 Kasimpasa - Rizespor
20:00 Bursaspor - Fenerbahce

In other news:

- Trabzonspor player Joao Pereira will not be able to play for 6-8 weeks due of injury from Super League 18th week game against Basaksehirspor.

- Fenerbahce considers to start with Mehmet Ekici and Michael Frey during Super League 18th week game against Bursaspor.

- Fenerbahce didnt make transfer deal with Besiktas player Tolgay Arslan.

- Besiktas player Ricardo Quaresma considers to leave team during this mid-season transfer window.

- Aris are interested to transfer Volkan Sen.

- ManchesterUnited player Juan Mata agent and father Juan Manuel Mata has declined of recieving transfer offer from Turkey.

- Trabzonspor and Basaksehirspor are interested to transfer Sancaktepe Belediyespor player Recep Burak Yilmaz.

- YeniMalatyaspor sports director Ali Ravci has stated that tram would transfer 2 players at the front.

- Fenerbahce has offered 6 million euro to Houston Dynamo for Alberth Elis but club will not sell play for less than 8 million euro.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Chelsea player Danny Drinkwater.

- Basaksehirspor consider to sell its player Emmanuel Adebayor to Fenerbahce in return of Islam Slimani exchange.

- YeniMalatyaspor are interested to transfer Fulham players Neeskens Kebano and Aboubakar Kamara.

What happened in Turkish football today? 19/01/2019

Galatasaray has scored 6 goals without any attackers.

Despite of being side which doesnt have any forward players, Galatasaray has managed to get very confident win against Ankaragucu as the side has dominated whole game and has always looked to find goals. But this was mainly due of the fact that Ankaragucu didnt show any resistance to opponents.

Galatasaray players Sinan Gumus and especially Henri Onyekuru with their performances and also finding goals has provided a view, at least during this game, that team can still create and find goals without attacking players and in overall with this result has shown that team is capable to win games with this squad. As Galatasaray mid-season transfer politics has been criticised both by team supporters and also Turkish media, including this blog, it was important to Galatasaray to show some good performance especially when getting team which does have some problematic issues and has trouble at making transfers also during this transfer window. Galatasaray fast-pace game led for shock effect to Ankaragucu which led them to make some numbers of the mistakes and at the game where Istanbul team has come as favourite it has managed to get a win. Galatasaray still needed to start 2nd half of season in such a manner and now it would be looking for rest of the season in more optimistic view.

On other hand, Ankaragucu has provided very poor performance as it seems like nothing was going as their wished for with conceding goal as early as on 1st minute has led them to lose whole concentration. Ankaragucu needs to take an important lesson and possibly this game could be crucial wake up call for team for rest of the season.

Even if Galatasaray has won game in comfortable manner it could provide view that everything is great, but to all respect to opponent it didnt lead to provide performance which could identify Galatasaray issue and lack of attackers is still case.

Akhisarspor goal could be taken away due of breaking foreign players rule.

Turkish Super League 18th week game between Akhisarspor and Besiktas, has been shadowed by mistake of Akhisarspor for having 13 foreign players at 21-st players squad, which is more than 1 player allowed.

It is reported that despite of Besiktas winning with 3:1 scoreline, which has provided a view that side might not complain to TFF as it still has won game, it would be still call and ask for scoreline to be given as 3:0 scoreline. Interestingly, Besiktas head coach Senol Gunes has admitted that side knew that Akhisarspor had an extra player but their still have come out to the game, and has provided their best performance. It might even seen that team has been aiming for 3:0 win and if their wasnt Sokol Cikalleshi goal, Besiktas might not for a complain. Meanwhile, Akhisarspor head coach Cihat Arslan has taken all responsibility for such a mistake calling it big issue and is open to all punishments which would be provided towards him. Coming to the game, Besiktas still has shown good performance despite of not showing great defensive game where its goalkeeper Lorius Karius has shown great performance and played an important role for game to be ended with 3:1 scoreline for his side. It was also important for sure Dorukhan Tokoz to find a goal finally as his two previous goals wasnt counted due of VAR.

It is likely for a game to be changed to 3:0 scoreline but even with this case Akhisarspor will not be dissapointed too much as it is aware and has recognised breaking rule regarding of foreign players.

Basaksehirspor and Trabzonspor game could be most important game of whole season. 

Turkish Super League 18th week game main game would be taken place between Basaksehirspor and Trabzonspor without doubt as the result of the game doesnt have only direct impact to both sides but to whole league.

This blog would even argue that winner of this game could end season as title winners despite of still long time until end of it, as winner would get an important motivation and confidence. Basaksehirspor compare to previous season, at least from statements to the media during this mid-season break, that their are detirmined to win league title but so are Trabzonspor. It is important to note that Trabzonspor has provided much more attacking games during last weeks of the 1st half of the season and does have younger players but in other hand we are having an experienced players which can control game and aim to control pace of the game as their wish to. Hence, this game would be also between hot-blooded quality youth against experienced and detirmined players and it would be curious which side would get a win. Of course, with Basaksehirspor losing game would not only go into hand of Trabzonspor but to other teams fighting for league title as their would get 3 points closer to them.

This game foremost can easily set aims and plans for rest of the season regarding how this game would end and hence both sides would provide full focus and have strong aims.

Results:
Turkish Super League, 18th week:
Erzurumspor 1:2 Konyaspor
Yeni Malatyaspor 3:2 Goztepe
Antalyaspor 0:0 Kayserispor
Galatasaray 6:0 Ankaragucu

Schedule:
Turkish Super League, 18th week:
16:00 Alanyaspor - Sivasspor
19:00 Trabzonspor - Basaksehirspor

In other news:

- Rizespor has transferred Moriense player Moher Aberhouse for 1.5 years

- Kayserispor player Asamoah Gyan agent Sammy Anim Addo has stated that his player could be leaving team in January.

- Fenerbahce considers to give 70,000 TL fine to its player Eljif Elmas for red card during Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg game against Umraniyespor.

- YeniMalatyaspor are interested to transfer Kerim Mrabti and Rosenborg player Alexander Soderlund.

- Galatasaray has made transfer deal with Sparta Prague for Tetteh with 7.5 million euro transfer fee.

- Besiktas head coach Senol Gunes doesnt consider to transfer Schalke 04 player Yevhen Konoplyanka.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Basaksehirspor player Emmanuel Adebayor.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Guangzhou Evergrande player Alexandre Pato.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Anderlecht player Zakaria Bakkali.

What happened in Turkish football today? 18/01/2019

Besiktas attackers has shown great performance against Akhisarspor. 

Turkish Super League 2nd half of this season has started with pretty exciting game between Besiktas and Akhisarspor, where Besiktas has got an important win against struggling Akhisarspor with 3:1 scoreline and has reduced point difference from leaders Basaksehirspor to 6 points.

Without doubt, Besiktas was coming out to an important game as it needed to win game to keep its league title chances arrive as loss could lead them to reduce chances for race to leadership even more. It needs to be stated that Besiktas has came out at the right motivation with looking for chances during game and creating great chances with 3 goals coming up from very organised performances. It was important for Dorukhan Tokoz to get a goal after being unlucky with VAR decisions on previous games, and he has scored with a great goal which would be remembered as one of the best during whole season for sure. Taking account of his young age and being potential star of the Turkish football for future years, this goal would provide an important motivation and confidence for rest of the season. Despite of game ending with 3:1 scoreline, it needs to be admitted that Akhisarspor on their hand did create high amount of the chances while Besiktas it should be admitted has made high amount of mistakes at defence and has been lucky for opponents to have poor last touch. Despite of some poor performance at the defence, Besiktas did show good performance and did provide a view that it is capable to fight for title with this performance.

As been mentioned above, Akhisarspor has managed to provide fast-paced game as the game has been developing creating high amount of dangerous chances but not being able to provide last touches which has prevented them to find an early goal during the game. It needs to be stated however that among having lack of last touches, it did have some weaknesses at the defence with conceding 3 goals.

Besiktas did come out to an important game against Akhisarspor and has provided some positive view and has reduced point difference to 6 points. In attacking front side has provided good signs for rest of the season.

Fenerbahce has provided very poor performance against Umraniyespor.

Fenerbahce didnt provide much change of its performance from 2nd half of the 2018 as it has lost to Umraniyespor with 1:0 scoreline during Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg game and has provided poor performance especially from Islam Slimani who didnt score high amount of good chances.

As it was known Fenerbahce has been treating Umraniyespor as new beginning but as was case in previous games it has provided pretty poor performance even through it could be argued that performance in 1st half was pretty good and red card of Eljif Elmas in start of the 2nd half had negative effect to the team. But taking account of quality differences between both sides, Fenerbahce needed to be able to get upper hand of the game in 2nd half also and needed to dominate game despite of having one man less at the field. Fenerbahce player Islam Slimani has also carried on not being able to score goals even through he did find one goal which was disallowed due of the foul. This performance does show at least for now that mid-season training camp didnt have any effect towards players at all. Good news for Fenerbahce that away game 1:0 scoreline at the tie is not bad result, and team still can turn around this tie in 2nd leg but with much better performance.

Fenerbahce right now would provide all focus to Super League game against Bursaspor where in all fairness their opponents to come out as stronger favourite for a win.

Galatasaray will not come out to the Ankaragucu game with an ideal squad.

Galatasaray is going to restart their Super League campaign for league title as it would be meeting with Ankaragucu despite of losing Ozan Kabak at the squad this week and still not having an attacker at its disposal.

It needs to be stated that Galatasaray carries on having poor transfer season right now and apart of Maicon at defence it didnt manage to get any players and hence would be coming out without clear attacker. Without doubt, Galatasaray head coach Fatih Terim would have a difficult time at making squad especially at the front and hence their is big question if team would be able to show strong performance, mainly due of not very effective from administrators at that front. To some respect, Galatasaray would be considering lucky to have an opponent like Ankaragucu which also has some serious issues including losing its head coach and hence it might not have an opponent which would create much chances. But still with such weak squad which Galatasaray would come out, it would be expected that Ankaragucu would be giving some chances to get a win at this game.

Galatasaray will be coming out to the game very far from an ideal squad which their would be seeking for certain but it would be aiming at least to get a win and get strong morale for rest of the season.

Results:
Turkish Super League, 18th week:
Akhisarspor 1:3 Besiktas

Schedule:
Turkish Super League, 18th week:
13:30 Erzurumspor - Konyaspor
13:30 Yeni Malatyaspor - Goztepe
16:00 Antalyaspor - Kayserispor
19:00 Galatasaray - Ankaragucu

In other news:

- PFDK referrals:
- Kayserispor and Antalyaspor has been referred for events at the field
- Kasimpasa player Mbiaye Diagne has been referred for spitting to opponent
- Fenerbahce player Eljif Elmas has been referred for breaking rule.
- Akhisarspor CEO Huseyin Eryuksel: We did break rule of foreign players as we had 1 extra player at 18-team squad sadly. Besiktas has right to complain about this to TFF. If their dont, scoreline would stay same.

- Besiktas has decided to send complaint to TFF regarding of Akhisarspor having an extra foreign player at its 18-player squad for Super League 18th week game.

- - Rizespor has made transfer deal with Fenerbahce player Aatif Chacheouhue.

- Galatasaray has loaned Sparta Prague player Semih Kaya for 6 months.

- Basaksehirspor has extended contract with its players Marcio Mossoro and Stefano Napoleoni.

- Trabzonspor player Jose Sosa will not play against Super League 18th week game against Basaksehirspor due of injury.

- Stuttgart CEO Michael Reschke: News about deal with Bayern Munich for Ozan Kabak is fairytale. He is our player and we have solved this transfer. We are happy that he chose us when their were high number of teams interested with him.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Alanyaspor player Merih Demiral.

- Fenerbahce player Mathieu Valbuena wants to carry his career in France.

- Kayserispor has signed professional contract with its youth players Dogan Alemdar, Kazim Celik, Adem Dogan, Abdullah Gurbuz, Hakan Citak, Bugra Ilter and Ercan Ciftci.

- Besiktas has decided to keep its player Adriano at the squad for rest of the season.

- Fenerbahce has loaned Chelsea player Victor Moses for 1.5 years

- Sevilla are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Islam Slimani.

- Kayserispor has offered its player Bilal Basakcioglu to Besiktas in return of Gokhan Tore.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Fiorentina player Bryan Dabo.

- GuangzhouEvergrande has offered 1.5 million euro for Galatasaray player Eren Derdiyok.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Goztepe player Sabri Sarioglu

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Manchester United player Juan Mata.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Real Betis players Takashi Inui and Cristian Tello

- Erzurumspor are interested to transfer Moussa Sow.

- Besiktas has set transfer fee of its player Garry Medel as 6 million euro.

- AlHilal considers to send 6 million euro offer for Galatasaray player Maicon.

What happened in Turkish football today? 16/01/2019

Trabzonspor has got a win against Balikesirspor despite of not great game.

Trabzonspor has managed to win Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg game against 1st league side Balikesirspor with 2:1 scoreline even through it is hard to state that team has shown strong and great attacking game which was expected from them during home ground.

To all respect of the Balikesirspor, it needs to be stated that Trabzonspor was coming out as strong favourite for a game even if it didnt have number of the main squad players and it needs to be stated that current players has been showing a good attacking game. It was also important for Hugo Rodallega to find a winning goal during 63rd minute as he did become main player of the game which would be providing very important motivation for upcoming games at the season to himself, including Super League 18th week game against league leaders Basaksehirspor. However, it is important to note that even if Trabzonspor didnt provide great and dominating football as been stated which was expected from them during game, it still has won game and would be looking for 2nd leg game taking place on 24th January in high motivation as it does have high aims for upcoming games at the season.

Meanwhile, Balikesirspor has managed to show good performance against difficult game and has found a good goal on 63rd minute thanks to Nizamettin Caliskan goal and would be coming to 2nd leg game at home with away goal which could become crucial one at this tie.

Trabzonspor did manage to win game but it needs to improve its performance if it wants to get good result against Basaksehirspor on 20th January as their would be coming one of the most important games of the season.

Fenerbahce would be aiming to have new beginning starting with Umraniyespor game

Fenerbahce would be aiming to turn around its poor performance which it has shown so far with season restarting and without doubt it would be aiming to show strong and confident controllable game against Umraniyespor during Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg game.

With Fenerbahce starting without doubt new beginning with coming of 2019, it would certainly be seeking to show an attacking and dominant game against Umraniyespor which is also without doubt their main aim for rest of the season both at Turkish Cup, Europa League and Super League. Without doubt its head coach Ersun Yanal ha managed to provide works both physically and mentally towards its players during mid-season training camp and hence would be aiming to show dominant game against Umraniyespor. With players also seeing this as new beginning their would be also expecting to show much more different and dominant game at the game. Umraniyespor in other hand would be feeling unlucky for sure as their would be meeting with strong team which would see as good chance to have new beginning.

If Fenerbahce players would see this game as new beginning and right motivation than their would be strong favourites for game but time would show how their would perform on the day.

Stuttgart has transferred Galatasaray player Ozan Kabak for 12 million euro.

Galatasaray has sold its player Ozan Kabak to Stuttgart with transfer fee of 12 million euro even through it was known that club are not considering its player until end of the season but with such high transfer fee it has made transfer deal at the end of the day.

With 11 million euro offer on previous day from Stuttgart offer, Galatasaray has declined transfer offer but when German side has raised offer with 1 million euro extra, Galatasaray couldnt decline such an offer. This transfer has been shock for many people as Galatasaray doesnt transfer many players during this transfer window and has lost one of the most potential players and has weakened their defence line even if its have transferred Marcao during this transfer window. Galatasaray CEO Mustafa Cengiz in an aim to justify transfer has stated that this transfer is good news for Galatasaray as it shows how it managed to develop players and also other youth players are recieving motivation. It needs to be admitted however that this transfer is good news for Ozan Kabak for sure as it would help him even develop further and prove himself at Bundesliga.

It is important for Ozan Kabak to get adapted to Bundesliga and his new team as soon as possible as he has all reasons to show great performance outside of Galatasaray and Turkey as being player with high potentiality.

Results:
Turkish Cup, last 16, 1st leg:
Yeni Malatyaspor 3:2 Bodrumspor
Basaksehirspor 1:0 Hatayspor
Trabzonspor 2:1 Balikesirspor

Schedule:
Turkish Cup, last 16, 1st leg:
18:30 Alanyaspor - Kasimpasa
20:30 Umraniyespor - Fenerbahce

In other news:

- TFF has announced referees for Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg games to be played on 17th January:
18:30: Alanyaspor - Kasimpasa: Suat Arslanboga
20:30: Umraniyespor - Fenerbahce: Arda Kardesler
- Kasimpasa has loaned Udinese player Simone Scuffet until end of the season.

- Fenerbahce CEO Ali Koc: Our case regarding match-fixing is continuing. Without understanding much about law, I am in the middle of this case. We would fight for our rights. We did right think to bring Ersun Yanal. He brought spirit back to team.

- Galatasaray has terminated contract with its player Tarik Camdal.

- Basaksehirspor has extended contract with its head coach Abdullah Avci for 5 years.

- Fenerbahce players Erten Ersu and Harun Tekin recovery process from injury has been started by clubs.

- Chaves has transferred Ankaragucu player Erdem Sen.

- AstonVilla are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Islam Slimani.

- Sivasspor are interested to transfer Olympique Lyon player Yanga Mbiwa.

- Galatasaray player Younes Belhanda will stay at his club until end of the season.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Sparta Prague player Semih Kaya.

- CeltaVigo considers to sell its player Emre Mor during mid-season transfer window.

- Besiktas administrator Ahmet Kavalci: If head coach would ask for us, we would start talks once again with players who are out of the squad. Their is possibility of those players to be called back. We didnt recieve offers we seek for Tolgay Arslan.

- Burnley are interested to transfer Besiktas player Garry Medel.

- SaoPaulo are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Mariano.

- AlShababRiyad are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Roberto Soldado.

- 2 Premier League clubs are interested to transfer Besiktas player Jeremain Lens.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Karpaty Lviv player Marian Shved.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Karpaty Lviv player Jorge Carrascali.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Waasland Beverand player Paula Fedeira Keita.

- Besiktas are uncertain about Copenhagen player Viktor Fischer transfer as its takes time for player to get adapted at new clubs.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Ludogorets player Hervin Ongenda.

- Besiktas has set transfer fee of its player Tolgay Arslan as 6 million euro.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Sassuolo player Khouma Babacar.

- Kasimpasa are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Eren Derdiyok.

What happened in Turkish football today? 15/01/2019

Boluspor and Galatasaray game has been postponed due of heavy snow.

Turkish Cup last 16 2nd leg game between Boluspor and Galatasaray has been postponed to 24 hours due of heavy snow taking place at Bolu which has started on the midday and has been snowing without stopping since then.

It is expecting to carry on snowing ,according to Central Weather Committee ,at Bolu for next two days as region is known to be getting cold during winter months. It needs to be noted that stadium workers prior to game has done all the best for the game to be taking place and carrying on cleaning even if taking account that it was observed that as one section has been cleaned, another has been filled with snow as it was dropping down heavily. Right now both sides, TFF and stadium workers would be hoping that it wont snow as heavy as tomorrow as the scheduling for upcoming games could be affected and affect programming especially from TFF. It would be reasonable to expect game to take place during next week midweek with 2nd leg during following week, hence having games 1 week later compare to other Turkish Cup games.

Right now both sides needs to wait and see how would be condition on that time be at time when game would be played.

Trabzonspor would aim to start 2019 in similar manner as it ended 2018. 

Trabzonspor, which without doubt has very high for this season, would restart its season against Balikesirspor during Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg game where it would be aiming to get best result it can at its home ground.

As it is known, Trabzonspor has ended 2018 with very good performance winning very important games and keeping themselves at the race both at the Turkish Cup and also Super League. With Trabzonspor expecting to play mainly with academy players during Balikesirspor game as it would likely to have in mind of Basaksehirspor which would be played on 19th January at the Super League 18th week game. It needs to be noted that Trabzonspor  did have successful mid-season training camp where youth players did show good performances and even through it did lose Burak Yilmaz, it is more likely to provide much more performance as it did last games and certainly would not affect negatively both during game tomorrow and in generally. Balikesirspor would have difficult time if Trabzonspor would show attacking game and hence needs to find solutions to stop them to show confident game.

As been noted, Trabzonspor would be aiming to show good and strong performance and would aim to dominate game very likely.

Alanyaspor has transferred Steven Caulkner for 2.5+2 years.

Alanyaspor has made their squad stronger with transferring Steven Caulkner for 2.5 years +2 years as it has made their defence stronger for 2nd half of the season as it is among most crucial position for club right now.

It needs to be noted that Steven Caulkner whose most amount of career has been going through in Britain, is expected to provide some effect towards defensive aspect of the team as the team would be getting into battle at relegation zone as it looks for now at the table for at least. It needs to be noted that Alanyaspor are having very good transfer period without doubt and are among most signed players and with games starting up this week it would become clear how effective their been for players. Alanyaspor would be expecting for Caulkner to get adapted to the league as soon as possible as it would need to have points as soon as possible to end season at calm position without having much stressful end of the season, and Steven Caulkner has potentiality to help them achieving that.

Alanyaspor has provided as been mentioned some effective transfer during this mid-season transfer window and can look for 2nd half with some optimistic view for sure.

Results:
Turkish Cup, Last 16, 1st leg:
Kayserispor 1:2 Akhisarspor
Antalyaspor 3:3 Goztepe
Boluspor P-P Galatasaray (Game has been postponed due of heavy snow)

Schedule:
Turkish Cup, Last 16, 1st leg:
16:30 Yeni Malatyaspor - Bodrumspor
18:30 Basaksehirspor - Hatayspor
20:30 Trabzonspor - Balikesirspor

In other news:

- TFF has announced referees of Turkish Cup last 16 1st leg games on 16th January:
16:30 Yeni Malatyaspor - Bodrumspor: Volkan Bayaraslan
18:30 Basaksehirspor - Hatayspor: Abdulkadir Bitigen
20:30 Trabzonspor - Balikesirspor: Ozkur Yankaya.

- Goztepe has terminated loan deal with its player Sokol Cikalleshi.

- Besiktas would 8,000 euro salary to Muhayyer Oktay while Fortuna Dusseldorf would recieve 210,000 euro as development fee.

- Galatasaray has transferred Chaves player Marcao for 4 million euro for 3.5 years and will pay with 4 installments.

- Parma has transferred Trabzonspor player Juraj Kucka until 2022. Meanwhile, club would pay 4,760,000 euro fee of terminating contract and also 238,000 euro to FIFA cooperation.

- Fulham has transferred Besiktas player Ryan Babel.

- YeniMalatyaspor player Adem Buyuk will not be able to play for 5-6 weeks.

- Galatasaray are interested to loan Swansea City player Wilfred Bony.

- Fenerbahce has terminated contract with its player Carlos Kameni.

- Number of Galatasaray administrators consider to have transfer negotiation with Stuttgart regarding of Ozan Kabak transfer.

- Fenerbahce considers to provide new extension offer to its player Sener Ozbayrakli.

- Rizespor head coach Okan Buruk: We are expecting decision regarding of Aatif Chachehouhue transfer. We have provided best transfer offer we could. I hope it would be finalised today. We hope to add another name prior to league game against Kasimpasa.

- Besiktas has asked Sener Ozbayrakli+Mathieu Valbuena+1 million euro from Fenerbahce in return of its player Tolgay Arslan.

- Barcelona are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Roberto Soldado.

- ManchesterUnited are interested to transfer Roma player Cengiz Under.

- Basaksehirspor are interested to transfer PSG player Metehan Gucer.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Yohan Cabaye.