Football Council: Fenerbahçe Are Sailing into Dangerous Waters

Beşiktaş’s derby victory over Fenerbahçe gave Hürriyet’s football panel plenty to praise, especially in the midfield and on the touchline. Uğur Meleke said the team controlled the second half and called its Salih, Orkun and Olaitan midfield trio the best in the league at present. He also said Beşiktaş offered real hope for the Europa League.

The panel attributed much of the performance to Vincenzo Italiano. Güntekin Onay said Beşiktaş attacked Fenerbahçe in a planned way through Trossard and Rıdvan, targeting the areas occupied by Semedo and Skriniar. He also highlighted the advantage created by using the wing-backs like midfielders. Vlahovic, he said, battled Skriniar while also contributing strongly to the team’s play.

Mehmet Arslan compared Italiano’s work with the impact of Hull City’s coach, describing both as examples of a manager giving a team a clear shape, tactical plan and identity despite constraints. Fırat Aydınus said Italiano’s influence was clear in Beşiktaş’s vertical, fast attacks after winning the ball and in its ability to prevent Fenerbahçe from attacking comfortably through the centre.

The analysts saw the result as a serious setback for Fenerbahçe. Onay said several important players in the squad were older and that the sequence of matches had already begun to wear the team down, despite the season being only at an early stage. The discussion also addressed coach İsmail Kartal’s view that Fenerbahçe had lost the centre of the pitch and supporters’ criticism of the decision involving Talisca.