The new 2024/25 season got off to a flying start in Turkish soccer. Cup winners Besiktas dispatched champions Galatasaray 5:0 – and celebrated high-flyer Immobile
For many years, Ciro Immobile had been cheered, celebrated and sung about in Rome. But then the marriage between him and the Lazio fans split. And after more than 300 competitive matches and over 200 goals for the Biancocelesti between 2016 and 2024, the goalscorer had to look for a new home. The 2021 European champion found what he was looking for in Istanbul.
And what he had recently been denied in the Italian capital, Immobile immediately earned in Turkey: the love of the fans. The 34-year-old had already been celebrated on his arrival, and even more so on Saturday. It took him just 21 seconds after kick-off at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium before he was through after a defensive error and coolly slotted home in front of Galatasaray keeper Muslera to make it 1-0. His first goal in his first competitive game for the Turks
Immobile scores a brace
Seconds later, he leapt over the bar, ran towards his own fans, spread his arms wide and enjoyed the moment. Immobile enjoyed the evening with his colleagues. After all, that early opening goal acted like a turbo igniter for Besiktas, who did not allow Galatasaray to come back. Instead, Svensson made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute – the score had initially been 1-0 at the break – but Immobile made it 3-0 from the spot (81st) before Rafa (90.+1) and Hekimoglu (90.+2) made it 5-0 in stoppage time.
A dismantling in the end for the SüperLig champions, who had a poor evening with their squad featuring ex-Schalker Ayhan and prominent names such as Ziyech, Mertens and Icardi. Especially defender Nelsson, who was shown a straight red in the 87th minute (emergency brake)
