Galatasaray have dealt their arch-rivals Fenerbahçe the first major blow of the Süper Lig season. At the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, which would have sold out in four seconds (!), the reigning national champions beat José Mourinho’s team 1-3 in the “Kıtalararası Derbi”, or intercontinental derby.
Galatasaray entered the play-off round as favourites with a perfect record. Fenerbahçe were chasing Okan Buruk’s team with a two-point lead, but they had overtaken them by winning the last derby 0-1 away to Galatasaray.
Against ‘Çim Bom Bom’, Mourinho’s team started well and created many chances, but it was Galatasaray who scored the first goal. Former Arsenal player Lucas Torreira received a loose ball and fired a ruthless shot from about 20 meters. The ball hit the post, but still went into the goal via the arm of goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic for 0-1.
At the end of a hard-fought match, in which nine yellow cards were handed out, the second goal came after half an hour of play. Victor Osimhen set up former Eredivisie player Dries Mertens, who skilfully beat Livakovic and doubled Galatasaray’s lead.
Fenerbahce inefficiency
After half-time, it took 15 minutes for Galatasaray to score their third goal: a great combination between Gabriel Sara and Lucas Torreira ended with a fine goal from the Brazilian Sara. Edin Dzeko allowed Fenerbahçe, who had the advantage and had repeatedly come up against Fernando Muslera in their quest for goal, to lead 1-3 from the penalty spot three minutes after Sara’s goal. Fenerbahçe did not have enough of 27 goal attempts and had to bow out in the 401st intercontinental derby between the best Turkish teams.
Galatasaray won the Süper Lig last season with a record 102 points, followed by Fenerbahçe with 99 points, a number that would have been enough for the domestic title in any other season in Süper Lig history.
