The championship race in Turkey is heating up again: after league leaders Galatasaray’s derby defeat at Besiktas, their closest rivals Fenerbahce see their chance.
The balance of power on paper could not have been clearer before the kick-off in Istanbul. The previously unbeaten leaders Galatasaray traveled to Besiktas with a 27-point lead (!). But Cimbom should not forget this away game.
Besiktas started off strongly and was the more active, dangerous and offensive team for the entire 90 minutes, as evidenced by the 20:9 shots on goal. Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk was already infected by the usual heated atmosphere after a quarter of an hour, at the cost of a yellow card.
However, the bad news for him did not stop. In the 23rd minute, Sanchez made a bad mistake, couldn’t keep up with Rafa at first, and was then outwitted by the Portuguese – and had to swallow the 0-1. Besiktas remained dominant and was in the 36th minute in superior numbers. After a long ball, Frankowski, as the last man, accidentally hit Muci, for which the Polish international saw red.
Joao Mario sets up again
The game was almost at half-time when Galatasaray surprisingly equalized with an artistic shot: former Arsenal pro Torreira took a hearted shot from over 25 meters in a central position – and actually dribbled past Günok, who was standing in front of his goal (45′).
After the break, Besiktas stayed in contention and looked for an opening. However, it took a set-piece situation to take the lead again – and this time decisively: after a free-kick from halfway, Galatasaray made a half-hearted clearance, leaving Joao Marios’s left-footed shot in the six-yard box to land at Gedson’s feet. He rose to become a derby hero with his shot under Muslera (66′).
Nothing changed in the final quarter of an hour, with the winner remaining unchanged. However, Besiktas substitute Kilicsoy, who had previously missed the opportunity to seal the win on a counterattack, put the final score beyond him. The 19-year-old saw red for a nasty kick against Sanchez (90+6).
After the first league defeat for Galatasaray this season, the excitement could return to the championship race. Cimbom “must” make amends as early as Wednesday (7:45 p.m.) – then the Turkish Cup quarter-final awaits them away at Fenerbahce.
