Galatasaray beat Fenerbahçe 2–1 on Monday in the Istanbul derby, part of matchday nine of the Turkish Super League and played at RAMS Park Stadium in the Turkish metropolis. A brace from Victor Osimhen in the first half allowed the reigning league champions to secure three vital points to consolidate their position at the top of the table.
Perhaps due to playing at home, the fact is that the side managed by Okan Buruk started the match with greater initiative and created several goal-scoring opportunities in the opening stages. In the 15th minute, Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson prevented a goal from a shot across goal by Barış Alper Yılmaz, whilst Fenerbahçe struggled to impose their style of play.
Even so, the visitors came close to taking the lead in the 26th minute, when a cross from N’Golo Kanté down the right flank crashed against the post following a defensive intervention by Davinson Sánchez, who, in an attempt to prevent Lukaku from getting a shot on goal, nearly scored an own goal.
A stunning goal from Osimhen opens the scoring
However, in the end it was Galatasaray who opened the scoring just three minutes later. Barış Alper Yılmaz was once again in the thick of the action, laying the ball off to Osimhen on the edge of the box, allowing him to burst through unstoppably and beat Ederson with a powerful left-footed shot, sending the ball in just inside the right-hand post. A true stunner.
The Nigerian striker was in the thick of the action again shortly before half-time. In the 44th minute, following a throw-in, Davinson Sánchez tried his luck with a shot whilst the ball was still bouncing in the air, and Osimhen met it with a thunderous header, extending the lead to 2–0. Osimhen’s brace allowed the Lions to head into the dressing room with a comfortable lead.
İrfan Can Kahveci brings the excitement back to the derby with a bicycle kick
Although the match was clearly dominated by Buruk’s side, Fenerbahçe came out with a more attacking attitude after the break and managed to get back into the game in the 62nd minute. Oğuz Aydın received a long pass from Kerem Aktürkoğlu inside the box and set up İrfan Can Kahveci, who scored with a spectacular bicycle kick to beat Uğurcan Çakır, who, despite stretching, could not prevent the score from becoming 2-1.
The goal gave hope to the side coached by İsmail Kartal, who sought an equaliser during the closing stages of the match. However, Galatasaray also had clear chances to extend their lead and forced Ederson into action on several occasions.
The clearest chance for the Yellow Canaries to snatch a last-gasp equaliser came in the 90th minute, when, amidst a scramble in the box, a header from Milan Škriniar was cleared off the very goal line by Mario Lemina, who thus prevented the equaliser and saved the match.
With this victory in a thrilling derby, Galatasaray move up to 22 points and end another matchday as leaders of the Turkish Super League. Fenerbahçe, for their part, remain on 16 points and drop from third to fifth place, having suffered their third defeat in the Super Lig this season. In the next round of fixtures, Okan Buruk’s side will travel to face Konyaspor, whilst Fenerbahçe will host Göztepe from Izmir, looking to bounce back from what has been a painful defeat against their arch-rivals.
Match stats
| Galatasaray | Fenerbahçe | |
|---|---|---|
| Total shots | 22 | 6 |
| Shots on target | 8 | 3 |
| Possession | 63% | 37% |
| Fouls | 10 | 18 |
| Yellow cards | 2 | 5 |
| Red cards | 0 | 0 |
| Offsides | 4 | 1 |
| Corners | 10 | 4 |
Results of the 9th round of the Super League
Turkish league: standings
| GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.GALATASARAY A.Ş. | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 22 |
| 2.AMED SPORTİF FAALİYETLER | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 20 |
| 3.TRABZONSPOR A.Ş. | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 22 | 8 | 14 | 19 |
| 4.BEŞİKTAŞ A.Ş. | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 10 | 8 | 18 |
| 5.FENERBAHÇE A.Ş. | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 23 | 8 | 15 | 16 |
| 6.KASIMPAŞA A.Ş. | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 16 |
| 7.KOCAELİSPOR | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 15 |
| 8.ERZURUMSPOR FK | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 12 | -4 | 14 |
| 9.ARCA ÇORUM FK | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 15 | 3 | 13 |
| 10.GÖZTEPE A.Ş. | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 16 | 3 | 12 |
| 11.CORENDON ALANYASPOR | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 11 | -2 | 12 |
| 12.İSTANBUL BAŞAKŞEHİR FK | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 14 | -2 | 11 |
| 13.ÇAYKUR RİZESPOR A.Ş. | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 15 | -4 | 10 |
| 14.TÜMOSAN KONYASPOR | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 9 | -3 | 8 |
| 15.GAZİANTEP FUTBOL KULÜBÜ A.Ş. | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 15 | -6 | 8 |
| 16.GENÇLERBİRLİĞİ | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 18 | -11 | 8 |
| 17.SAMSUNSPOR A.Ş. | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 21 | -13 | 4 |
| 18.EYÜPSPOR | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 23 | -21 | 3 |
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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