In a thrilling Istanbul derby, Galatasaray triumphed over Fenerbahce 3-1, ending Fenerbahce’s impressive 32-match unbeaten streak in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday night.
This match marked José Mourinho’s debut as Fenerbahce’s coach, but it resulted in a bitter defeat for the Portuguese manager.
Galatasaray took the lead early with an own goal by Fenerbahce’s Dominik Livakovic in the 20th minute. Dries Mertens followed up with a second goal in the 28th minute, giving Galatasaray a comfortable 2-0 lead at halftime. Gabriel Davi Gomes added a third goal in the 59th minute.
Fenerbahce managed to respond with Edin Dzeko’s penalty in the 63rd minute, but it was too little, too late.
Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen made a standout contribution with a brilliant assist for Mertens’ goal. While he didn’t score, Osimhen’s overall play was instrumental in the victory, showcasing his ability to impact the game beyond just finding the net.
Having joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli, Osimhen also provided an assist in his debut match against Çaykur Rizespor last week.
The victory solidified Galatasaray’s position at the top of the Super Lig table, while Fenerbahce’s hopes of winning the derby were dashed despite Mourinho’s tactical efforts. The coach will likely reflect on his team’s defensive vulnerabilities as they prepare for upcoming fixtures, according to Turkiye Sports.
Osimhen, the 25-year-old Nigerian international, recorded four shots, with one on target during the match.
Prior to the derby, Mourinho stirred controversy by suggesting that Osimhen has a tendency to dive.
“I don’t have problems with Victor,” Mourinho stated to HT Spor, “In fact, we have a good relationship. But every time I play against him, I talk to him because I don’t like the way he behaves. He dives too much.
“I told him, ‘You are one of the two best African players, along with Mohamed Salah. In the past, we had legends like Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, George Weah. You can’t behave like this.’ That’s my issue with him.”
In a physical match, Galatasaray received six yellow cards while defending against Fenerbahce’s attacks, who received just one.
This fixture highlighted Galatasaray’s ability to withstand pressure and capitalize on crucial moments, including Osimhen’s key assist.
